Town
of Saratoga
Supervisor
State of the Town Address
January
9, 2006
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 goals upon which we would
like to focus in 2006.� Tonight I will
limit my comments to 5 minutes.� In so
doing it will be impossible to go into great depth concerning the
accomplishments of the past year and the means of accomplishing our goals for
next year.� In this 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.
2006
will be a year of challenges, choices, and changes.� These challenges, choices, and changes will cover and impact all
town resources including people, equipment, money, land, time, and technology.
We
begin the year with some new people in important positions.��� New Councilwoman Betty Koval replaces
retired councilman Bruce Cornell and brings extensive knowledge and experience
to her position.� She has hit the ground
running and is assuming many important duties including senior citizen
committee chairman.� David Hall replaces
retired superintendent Grant Seymour. He has already begun his work as highway
superintendent and was tested with a snowstorm on the very first night of his
assumption of duties.� He passed the
test and has performed with excellence.�
Jim Gorham replaces Joyce Shaver and has begun his duties as Tax
Collector.� He has been immersed with
his duties for nearly a month and has brought a wealth of experience and
knowledge to the position.� Our new officials
are replacing former town employees that served the town for over 75 years.� Mike McLoughlin begins a fourth 4-year term
as town councilman.� His breadth and
depth of knowledge and regular contact with a multitude of town residents will
provide the board with needed grassroots feedback.� Town Clerk Ruthie Drumm begins her second two-year term.� She has developed extensive knowledge of
town rules, regulations and procedures and provides all town residents with
timely response to all of their needs and requests.� As town supervisor I am beginning my second two-year term and eagerly
look forward to the challenges that the town will be facing.� My first term allowed me to identify and
initiate several new actions such as property tax exemption adjustments, zoning
amendments, and improved communications between the town and its residents.� This year there will other changes in
committee membership and clerical positions.�
Our continuing town officials are re-motivated and energized to perform
their duties and serve the residents of the town in the best way possible.� We are here to serve the town residents and
must never forget that.� We will always
listen to and take seriously the requests and concerns of all town
residents.� Communication is the key and
efforts will be increased to enhance communication.� Having said that we must also be realistic and recognize that we
cannot necessarily satisfy the needs and desires of all town residents on every
issue.� Our actions will reflect the
desires of the majority with a respect for the views of the minority.
I
begin my third 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 2006 result from the facts that we live in a town that is a very
desirable place in which to live and do business, that we have low taxes, and
that the economic conditions and climate are healthy.
Our
Town 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.� This year
construction should start on a new rescue squad building on Route 29 near
Louden Road.� 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 such as Length of Service Award Program and a county tax
reduction programs have recently been enacted and should help recruit new and
maintain experienced members.� The
Quaker Springs Fire department is making excellent progress in the
establishment of a satellite Fire station near Saratoga Lake.� Correction of some of the 9-1-1 numbers is
being done.� Rick Drew is recognized for
his efforts on our behalf with the county emergency services program.
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 Mineral Water Park is now owned by the town of
Saratoga and will be further developed this year. 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 day events.� 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.� They are leading the
fight to keep Saratoga Lake from being used as a source of drinking water by
the city of Saratoga Springs.� SLIPD and
the Town of Saratoga have recently applied for a 1.2 million dollar EPF grant
to further improve the quality of Saratoga 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.�
This past year we added $145,000 to the town hall reserve account and
established a town park fund into which we placed $50,000. 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. �Again this year the county tax rate to town
residents was reduced by applying $100,000 of the sales tax revenue against
town resident county tax bills.� Only
one other town in Saratoga County did this.��
������ This past year our equalization rate
dropped to 91.69%. This year our assessor will work at reviewing neighborhoods
and making adjustments as appropriate.�
Since the county distributes sales tax revenue based on assessed
property value, maintaining accurate assessment roles will be critical.� This will insure fairness to all residents
and result in maximum county sales tax distribution to the town.
The
Town board is experienced, broad based, and eager to conduct the business of
the town. Their diverse background and broad based track record and experiences
will prove very beneficial in our dealings with difficult issues.
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 crew continues to be second to none.� The crew is experienced, dedicated, hard
working, and professional.� They take
their job seriously and do the very best job possible.� Our roads are in great shape. They are well
engineered, maintained and cared for.�
The recent upgrades to Burgoyne Road and Grange Hall 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.� Too often they are unjustly criticized.
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.
Our
Historian and deputy historian obtained a record management grant and are
organizing and cataloging town materials.
A
cooperative working relationship between the Schuylerville-Victory joint water
commission and the town of Saratoga will be encouraged.� We want to investigate ways in which the
water board and town can work together to provide water to town residents at a
equal rate.� A request has been
submitted to Senator Bruno for a new water line on Rt. 4 north of
Schuylerville.
In
2005 we initiated property tax relief for disabled residents and increased the
amount of allowable exemptions for eligible veterans.
We
developed a town personnel manual.� 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 for resident input prior to board action on agenda items.
Bryant�s
Bridge will be replaced during the summer of 2006.
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.
Having
touted all of the strengths and assets of the town it would seem that 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.
There
are a number of major issues facing the town that must be completed this
year.� Many of these issues were
identified and started last year but have not yet been brought to completion.� These issues will serve as the basis for
many of our goals in 2006.�
Our
zoning amendment advisory committee worked hard last year and made substantial
progress.� On February 7th we
will have our first public presentation of the initial work of the
committee.� We will be looking for
further public reaction and input on the first draft.� Following modification and adjustments, formal public hearings
will be scheduled.� Enactment of the new
regulations by June is our goal. 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.��� 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.� Other areas of
changes include a mass gathering law and adult business regulations.� 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.� Before the end of 2006 all current laws and
town documents will be codified and made available to all on the internet.� 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.
Our
town hall building committee has been working hard and meeting regularly for
the past year.� We surveyed the town
residents, reviewed a number of possible sites, and determined desired
functions and space needs. We have made progress but also have identified
additional research that needs to be completed.� A series of public information sessions will be conducted and
ultimately a vote will be scheduled.
Efforts
will continue to keep Saratoga Lake from being used as a reservoir for by the
City of Saratoga Springs.� We are
working with the Saratoga Glen Hollow Water Corporation to have the private
water system line extended� along Rt.� 9P in the town of Saratoga.� We are also working with the county Sewer
District to have the sewer line on 9P increased in capacity.
Efforts
to secure more land and develop a town park will continue.� The Quaker Sprigs Mineral Water Park will be
enhanced and made a pleasurable recreation destination.
The
town emergency plan will be updated.� A broad
based committee will be formed and the plan enhanced to devise appropriate
responses for the numerous emergency situations that could potentially
develop.� We will continue to work with
the General Schuyler Emergency Squad and all fire departments assisting them in
providing emergency services to all of our town residents.� New initiatives are under way that will
improve fire service to the Saratoga Lake area.
Enactment
of a sexual predator law needs to be implemented.� The soon to be completed county ordinance will serve as our
guideline.
A
town financial procedural audit will be initiated in the next few months.� This will enable us to determine if there
are better ways of doing things.
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 cannot 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.
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.�
The town web page is being re-configured and will become more user friendly.
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.� It is with enthusiasm and excitement that we will move forward and meet the challenges in 2006.
�