DRAFT MINUTES FOR THE
TOWN BOARD MEETING
OF THE TOWN OF
SARATOGA,
30 FERRY ST.,
SCHUYLERVILLE,
NY
February 12,
2007
7:00 P.M.
Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance
at 7:00 p.m.
Roll call: Ruth Drumm, Town Clerk, called
the roll.� Supervisor Thomas Wood-
present, Councilman Fred Drumm - present, Councilman Charles Hanehan- absent,
Councilwoman Betty Koval - present, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent.
Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:
Supervisor
Thomas Wood presented Certificates of
Recognition to the following organizations for their efforts providing
services to those who lost power during the ice storm on January 14 � 17,
2007:� Schuylerville Community Food
Pantry, General Schuyler Emergency Squad, Quaker Springs Fire Department,
Schuyler Hose Fire Department, David Nevins Fire Department, and the Town
Highway Department Staff.� He also
thanked the many additional individuals that helped by contacting and checking
on people to see if they needed help and to let them know where the shelters
were set up.�
Tracy
Clothier, LA Group, presented the Joint Open Space and Recreation Plan to
the board.� This plan was drafted for
the Town of Saratoga and the Town of Northumberland under the Quality
Communities Grant.� Projects focus on
the expansion of a variety of recreational facilities, parks, trails, and water
projects along with preserving green space.�
The full Joint Open Space Plan is on file in the Town Clerk�s
office.� Supervisor Thomas Wood thanked
Tracy Clothier, Clarence Fosdick, Councilman Fred Drumm and Town of
Northumberland Supervisor Bill Peck for attending the many meetings held with
him discussing the plan.
Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilwoman Betty Koval and seconded
by Councilman Fred Drumm to
accept the minutes of the January 8th organizational meeting as written.
Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles
Hanehan � absent, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael
McLoughlin � absent.� Carried 3 �
0.��
Town Clerk�s report for January 2007: Fees paid to the County Treasurer for Dog Licenses $73.67. Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the spay/neuter program $24.00. Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $45.34. Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $0. Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $193.33. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $157.91. Total State, County, and Local Revenues received were $509.25.
Zoning Officer�s report:� Supervisor Thomas Wood read the January 2007 report: 2 Building Permits, 10 Building Inspections, 6 CO�s, 1 Complaint, and 1 Order to Remedy was issued.� A check for $385 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�
Dog Control officer�s report for January 2007: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the report.� They answered 29 complaints, took 3 dogs to the shelter, traveled 215 miles, issued 24 warnings, responded to 1 dog bite and that no summons� were issued.�
Town Court report for January 2007: Justice Jack Ditch reported that the following were closed: 58 Vehicle & Traffic, 11 Criminal/Penal Law, 1 DEC/ENCON, 1Dog case, 0 DWI, 0 Town & Village Ordinance, 2 Small Claims/Civil, 4 Evictions, 0 Bench trials, 2 Divestiture Forms (case transfers) sent to County Court, 5 attended the Science of Speed School, 0 Defendants sentenced to probation, 5 hours of community service issued, 0 days of jail time issued, 3 Orders of Protection issued, and $3,440.50 in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.
Tax Collector�s report:� Tax Collector Jim
Gorham reported for January 2007.� He
collected $1,706,479.07 on 2,189 parcels.�
Historian�s report:
�Supervisor Thomas Wood read the report which
stated that this past month the Historian's office had a number of
press inquiries about the Webster House. In addition, we have been made
aware of an issue by the National Park regarding the proposed cell phone tower
in Schuylerville (on property bordering the Town of Saratoga), which may affect
the view shed of the Saratoga Monument.�
The office is also working with the National Park on interpretation of
the Victory Woods property. The office is continuing to work with the
Archeologist and the Battlefield Protection Program working on the Fort Hardy
project. The archeologist presented a poster session on Fort Hardy at a
national Archeology conference in Williamsburg, VA.
The office continues to work on our Archives grant ($12,935 � awarded Local
Government Records Management Improvement Fund � NYS Archives) separating the
Village of Schuylerville records from the Town of Saratoga historical records
collection. We are also working on developing a finding aid for municipal
collections in Saratoga, Schuylerville and Stillwater.
Assessor�s report: Assessor Catherine DeFelice reported:� We had 10 parcel transfers; 7 were valid sales and 3 were
non-valid sales.� We are taking renewals
for Senior and Enhanced Star applications, also the Agricultural renewal forms.
Supervisor�s report: Supervisor Thomas Wood presented January 2007 balances in Town funds as follows: General A $737,785.42, General B $91,025.16, Highway Outside $312,602.64, Youth Recreation & Services $287.92, Highway Equipment Reserve $91,057.12, Building Reserve $1,003,444.94 and Fire Protection $0.� January revenues were $92,760.81 and expenses were $67,240.94.� The January balance is $2,236,203.20.
The public
commented on the following agenda items:
v
Supervisor�s report and the sources of revenue and the
investment of the reserves.
v
Resolution
on Property Tax Reform asking that it include the rate of increase of school
taxes.
Committee
reports:
�He added that the generator should be
installed at the garage by the end of February.
�����������
Landfill: �Hudson Environmental Services reports there
are no unusual conditions and all quality control data is within acceptable
limits.
�
Insurance: �No report.
��
Youth: �No report.�
The Schuylerville Senior
Citizens met on January 9th.�
Bruce and Virginia Cornell spoke about their trip to Mississippi, where
they worked as volunteers rebuilding homes after Hurricane Katrina.� Sixty-four seniors attended.�� At their meeting on January 23rd,
Christina Saddlemire-Reese, Historian for Saratoga County and the Village of
Schuylerville, presented a slide show regarding the Underground Railroad and
abolitionism and the role of these activities in the Town of Saratoga and
Saratoga County.� Seventy-four seniors
attended.�
Supervisor Thomas Wood read
Sean Kelleher�s report.� The committee
continues to work forward. They met twice in January.� They have received the patches for the
volunteers, which will be given out at each banquet. He added that they
have ordered the street signs that will encourage more volunteers to join.
The decision on the memorial is waiting for the Town Board to decide on the new
town hall location. The committee is very interested in having the
memorial on this location with or without a new town hall being located here.
The committee's next meeting is Wednesday, February 28th at 7 p.m.
at Town Hall.
GSES, QSFD,
SLPID/SLA Reports:
Quaker
Springs Fire Department:� Stephen
Bodnar addressed the board.� He reported
that the fire department responded to 17 calls in January.� The firehouse was open as a shelter for
whoever in the community needed it as well as providing water for many
residents during the ice storm in January.�
He reported that besides the regular training, they had 12 members
complete CPR training.� They are now
100% NIMS compliant.� The new well is in
operation.� The new jaws and related
rescue equipment is in service.� A
mutual aid drill with Arvin Hart on ice water rescue was held.� He added that the new adapter is in place at
Bryant�s Bridge and the standpipe works very well.
Old
business:
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution # 07- 41 - Calvin
Gong Property, 1390 Rt. 9P - was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin �
absent.� Carried 3 � 0.
WHEREAS,
by resolution of this Board dated January 8, 2007, the Town Attorney was
authorized to take legal enforcement action against Calvin Gong concerning
property located at 1390 Route 9P in the Town of Saratoga specifically to cause
an inspection of said property to determine whether the structure is an unsafe
building, and
WHEREAS, the Town Engineer, Kenneth Martin, has submitted a
report of said inspection to the Board, a copy of which is attached hereto, and
WHEREAS, said report concludes that the aforesaid property
located at 1390 Route 9P located in the Town of Saratoga is �dangerous or
unsafe to the public� within the meaning of Chapter 182 of the Town Code, it is
now therefore
RESOLVED, that the Town Attorney be authorized to prepare and
cause service of a notice to owner of said property, to wit: Calvin Gong,
prepared in accordance with Section 182-3(A) of the Town Code, directing that
the building be demolished and removed and that any occupants of the building
immediately vacate the same, and it is further
RESOLVED, that a hearing be held before the Town Board on
February 27, 2007 at�� 7:30 p.m., which
shall be a special meeting of the Town Board called for that purpose, at which
hearing the said Calvin Gong may present proof in opposition to the claim that
the building is unsafe and dangerous, and it is further
RESOLVED, that the Town Attorney file a copy of the aforesaid
notice in the Office of the Saratoga County Clerk, as provided by law.
(Town
Engineer�s report is in the Appendix on file in the Town Clerk�s office.)
New
business:
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution # 07- 36 �
Extending Construction time for Saratoga Country Inn PUD by 90 days- was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm �
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent.�
Carried 3 � 0.
WHEREAS, on February 14, 2005, the Town Board of the Town of
Saratoga granted final approval for the Saratoga Country Inn PUD, by amending
the Zoning Ordinance of the Town, and
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 3(J) of the Zoning
Ordinance provides that approval for a PUD development project shall become
null and void if construction has not begun within two years of the Town Board
approval, and
WHEREAS, due to circumstances beyond control of the
owner and applicant, said construction work has not begun as planned, and for
good cause shown to the Town Board, it is therefore�
RESOLVED, that there is hereby granted an extension
of time until May 14, 2007 within which construction work must begin for the
Saratoga Country Inn PUD and such construction must be completed on or before
eighteen (18) months of issuance of the first building permit, and it is
further
RESOLVED, that if the aforesaid time limitations are
not met, then the approval for this development project shall become null and
void.
On a motion by Councilwoman
Betty Koval and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution #07-37 � Transfer
of Funds to Taxes & Assessments A1950.4 - $14.76 - was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm �
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent.�
Carried 3 � 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga recognizes the
need for a fund transfer to cover additional property tax expenses for parcels
acquired from Zene Garnsey (SBL#�s 183.-1-35 & 36), therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to transfer
$14.76 from Contingency Account # A1990.4 to Taxes & Assessments
A1950.4.�
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution # 07-38 �
Petition NYS for Property Tax Reform - was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent.� Carried 3 � 0.
WHEREAS, in New York State,
municipal revenues which support local spending for schools, public safety, and
other public services are raised through the property tax levy, state aid, and
other sources, and
WHEREAS, despite the increase of
over 70% in New York State aid to school districts in the past 10 years, most
New York State school district budgets have continued to skyrocket out of
control causing local school tax levy increases of between 5% and 15% annually,
and
WHEREAS, many residents of the Town
of Saratoga located in Saratoga County and other municipalities across New York
State are unable to pay these excessive school tax rates which are forcing many
families into debt and causing some to sell their property and relocate their
families outside of their communities and, in some instances, outside the State
of New York, and
WHEREAS, over half of all US states
have passed some form of property tax limitation statute which attempts to
reasonably manage excessive property taxation, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, the Town of Saratoga
requests its New York State legislators to review and conduct a comprehensive
study and evaluation of all existing state property tax limitation statutes in
effect, and be it further
RESOLVED, that New York State
legislators and the New York State Governor based upon the above study and
evaluation enact appropriate legislation which will provide necessary property
tax reform for the benefit and relief of all New York State residents, and be
it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this
resolution be forwarded to the
Honorable Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York State, all NYS legislators
representing the County of Saratoga, the Chair of the NYS Assembly Ways and
Means Committee, the Chair of the NYS Senate Finance Committee, the Chairs of
the Assembly and Senate Education Committees, all municipalities within the
County of Saratoga, the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors, the NYS
Association of Towns, and the NYS Association of Counties.
On a motion by Councilwoman
Betty Koval and seconded by Councilman Fred Drumm the following Resolution # 07-39
appointing Supervisor Thomas Wood to Historic Saratoga � Washington County on
the Hudson Partnership Commission - was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas
Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent,
Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin �
absent.� Carried 3 � 0.
WHEREAS, Article 42 of the NYS Environmental Conservation law
establishes the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the Hudson Partnership as body
corporate and public and invites the Supervisor of the Town of Saratoga to
become a member of the Partnership, and
WHEREAS, the local legislative body of the Town finds
that participation in the Partnership with other Hudson Riverfront
municipalities with regard to matters of common interests including management
of historic, natural, scenic, and recreation resources and economic development
will be in the public interest of the Town, and now,
THEREFORE, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga hereby
resolves that the Supervisor of the Town of Saratoga, Thomas N. Wood III, is
hereby authorized to become a member of the Historic Saratoga-Washington on the
Hudson Partnership.
On a motion by Supervisor
Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Koval the following Resolution # 07- 42 � State
Police Satellite Office Lease Agreement - was adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman
Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman
Michael McLoughlin � absent.� Carried 3
� 0.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town
of Saratoga agrees that it is in the best interest of the townspeople to have
State Police presence in our town, therefore be it
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to enter into a written lease agreement with the New York State
Police for the use of town hall office space for a State Police satellite
station from February 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008 per review by Town Attorney
William Reynolds.
Communications:
v
The Roadhouse 29, 1023 Route 29, Schuylerville,
liquor license renewal notification was received.
v
A notification was received that the Local
Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP) of the Dept. of State is awarding the
Town of Saratoga a grant of $25,000 for Planning and Design for the Old
Saratoga on the Hudson Blueway Trail.
v
Grant request response letters from Senator Joseph
Bruno were received stating that the grant request from the GSES has been
received and that the Town of Saratoga will receive a Legislative grant of
$50,000. More information on these will follow.�
v
Notication from the Village of Ballston Spa of their
2007 Bicentennial Parade on Saturday, August 18, 2007 was received.�
Privilege
of the floor: The public commented to the board about the following
topics:�
v Saratoga
Country Inn PUD construction time extension of 90 days.
v Request
for information on the new town hall to be communicated to the public at
various meeting places and a mailing was recommended.
v Question
regarding the fire department standpipes � who decides where they will be
installed?� Response was that requests
are submitted to the Saratoga County Soil and Water Department and they
determine what sites are feasible.
Upcoming
meetings:
v Building
Committee meeting �Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
v Agenda
meeting � Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
v
Regular town board meeting � Monday, March 12, 2007
at 7:00 p.m. �
Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman Fred Drumm and seconded
by Councilwoman Betty Koval the
following Resolution #07-40 Approving the payment of bills in Abstract 2G was
adopted by vote: Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Fred Drumm �
aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � absent, Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and
Councilman Michael McLoughlin � absent.�
Carried 3 � 0.
RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to authorize
payment of the bills listed in Abstract 2G (02/12/2007) in the following
amounts: General A $43,345.80, and General B $3,626.01, Highway Outside
$23,744.95, and Building Reserve $5,725 for a total expense of $76,441.76.
A motion to adjourn
at 8:54 p.m. was made by Supervisor Thomas Wood and seconded by Councilman
Fred Drumm.� Supervisor Thomas Wood �
aye, Councilman Fred Drumm � aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan - absent,
Councilwoman Betty Koval � aye, and Councilman Michael McLoughlin -
absent.� Carried 3 � 0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Drumm
Town Clerk