DRAFT MINUTES OF THE

TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF SARATOGA �

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

12 SPRING ST.

SCHUYLERVILLE, NY

September 11, 2017

7:00 P.M.

Supervisor Thomas Wood opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

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: Highway Superintend Don Ormsby, Zoning Officer/Building Inspector Gil Albert, Deputy Clerk Michelle Conover, Town Attorney William Reynolds, Barbara Faraone, J.R. Hanna, Pat Temple, Jennie McReynolds, Nash Alexander, Keith Tabakman, Victor Huggard, Nate King, Sherry Doubleday, Rose & Glenn Decker, Nelson & Sarah Snowden, Joanne Hanna, Ted Mosher, Brandon Myers, Al Hall, Paul Murphy, Barb Scaglione, Sue Hughes, Hub & Kate Miller, Terri Korb, Tom Yannios, Randal O�Dell and Wendy Lukas.� (sign-in sheet is on file in the Clerk�s office)

Recognitions/Presentations/ Bid openings/ Public Hearings:

Supervisor Thomas Wood presented Joanne Hanna, Sherry Doubleday, Pat Temple, Jennie McReynolds, Sue Hughes, Barb Scaglione and Joe Hanna, with the following Resolution #17-92 - Recognition of the former Board Members of the outgoing General Schuyler Emergency Squad, for their dedicated service to the residents of the Town of Saratoga.

On a motion made by Supervisor Thomas Wood, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-91 - Recognition of General Schuyler Emergency Squad Outgoing Board Members 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, prior to 1971 ambulance service was provided to Schuylerville and the Town of Saratoga residents by Ted Still, the local funeral director; and

WHEREAS, the population of the area grew and the need for more extensive emergency medical services increased; and

WHEREAS, in response to the increased need for services a group of local citizens met and established plans for a volunteer ambulance service to provide first aid treatment and transportation on a full time emergency basis; and

WHEREAS, in May, 1971 the General Schuyler Emergency Squad came into being; and

WHEREAS, in 1971 a pole barn type structure with metal siding was erected at a cost of $16,000.00, on .15 of an acre of land on Ferry Street in Schuylerville; and

WHEREAS, this building could accommodate two vehicles, a small office, and storage space; and

WHEREAS, in the mid 1980's a fire caused significant damage to the office and storage area at the back of the building; and

WHEREAS, following the fire since some reconstruction was necessary, twenty feet were added to the back of the building to create a small meeting room and training area; and

WHEREAS, a few years later an additional sixteen feet were added to the front of the building to accommodate� the longer emergency vehicles; and

WHEREAS, in the early years, members were trained to the level� of First Aid Provider and in the following years, the members received more training and became certified as Advanced First Aid Providers, EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians) and EMT-D (Defibrillation); and

WHEREAS, in the 1970�s and 1980's the number of runs averaged 300 runs per year and in the following years gradually increased to 485 runs per year in 2002; and

WHEREAS, in 2016 the number of runs increased to 650 runs per year; and

WHEREAS, during the early years of the squad, the primary function was to transport the patient; and

WHEREAS, in recent years the function has increased to providing advanced life saving services; and

WHEREAS, due to increased costs of operation in April, 1993, the squad initiated a Billing for Services policy; and

WHEREAS, in March, 2003, Advanced Life Support (ALS) services were made available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by the squad; and

WHEREAS, the squad gradually outgrew the space on Ferry Street, in Schuylerville, and needed more room for its operation; and

WHEREAS, in 2004 the squad acquired the centrally located land, at 901 Route 29 in the Town of Saratoga and built a new 7,500 square foot building, which included space for four vehicles, housing staff, offices, conference and training areas; and

WHEREAS, over the years the availability of volunteers decreased and the squad was forced to go to a full time paid staff; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, due to financial difficulties the squad merged with the Wilton Emergency Squad, Inc. to more efficiently provide emergency services to area residents; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the squad, to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors to the communities, by providing superior quality Emergency Medical Services, has remained constant; and

WHEREAS, the 2017outgoing members of the General Schuyler Board of Directors are President Joanne Hanna, Vice President and Life Member Sherry Doubleday, Secretary Jennie McReynolds, Treasurer Pat Temple, Board member and Life member Sue Hughes, Board member and Life member Barb Scaglione; and

WHEREAS, Joe Hanna was a former Board member, until October 2016, when he became a paid staff member; and

WHEREAS, in 2017 these Board members made the difficult and correct decision to merge with the Wilton Emergency Squad, now, therefore be it;

RESOLVED, that these above named outgoing Board and staff members be recognized and honored for their dedicated service to the Town of Saratoga and greater Schuylerville community; and be it further

RESOLVED, that as a result of their service they have improved the safety and quality of life in the ambulance district, resulting in the saving of numerous lives; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga does hereby recognize and honor to the highest degree possible Joanne Hanna, Sherry Doubleday,

Pat Temple, Jennie McReynolds, Sue Hughes, Barb Scaglione and Joe Hanna for their devotion, service and sacrifice to the community and that their names will be inscribed on the Supervisor's Award Plaque; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Town of Saratoga will never let their names and the service that they gave to our community and country be forgotten and that they will always be held in the highest esteem and remembered as some of the Town of Saratoga�s best.

BST Auditor, Paul Goetz, appeared before the Board and reviewed the financial report of the Annual Audit for the Town, which is on file in the Town Clerk�s office.� Councilman James Jennings questioned how the Town is doing and Auditor Paul Goetz responded the town is in really good shape.� Auditor Paul Goetz then thanked the Board for having him.

Approval of Minutes: A motion was made by Councilman James Jennings,�� seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, to accept the regular meeting minutes of August 14, 2017 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 August 2017: Fees paid to the NYS Dept. of Agriculture and Markets for the Animal Population Control Program $59.00.� Fees paid to New York D.E.C. for hunting and fishing licenses $1,127.26. �Fees paid to the New York State Health Department for Marriage licenses $45.00. �Dog license fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $280.00. Clerk fees to Supervisor Thomas Wood $147.74.� Total State and Local Revenues received were $1,659.00.

Zoning Officer�s report for August 2017: Issued 13 Building Permits, 22 Building Inspections, 8 Certificates of Occupancy, 0 Junk Yard Permits, 1 Complaint,

0 Fire inspections, 1 Order/s to Remedy, 7 misc., 2 Building Permit Renewals, 0 Property Maintenance Inspections.� A check for $2,300.00 was given to Supervisor Thomas Wood.�

Dog Control Officer�s report for August 2017: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following: �D.C.O. Ed Cross answered 25 complaints, took 7 dog to the shelter, 2 bite case/s, traveled 150 miles, issued 15 warnings and 8 summons was issued.�

Town Court report for August 2017: The following were closed: 45 Vehicle & Traffic, 8 Criminal/Penal Law, 0 DEC/ENCON, 4 Dog cases, 1 DWI/s, 2 Town & Village Ordinance, 2 Small Claims/Civil, 2 Evictions, 0 Hearing, 1 Defendant sentenced to probation, 0 hours of community service issued, 1 (case transfer) Divestiture Forms sent to County Court, 0 days of jail time issued, 0 Orders of Protection issued, and $5,886.00 �in fees were paid to the NY State Comptroller.

Tax Collector�s report: �No report

Historian�s report for August 2017: Supervisor Thomas Wood read the following:
The Historian continues his research on the town and its residents, some of which are on his various �on this day� posts.�

He had 65 posts on his website with 993 visitors in July and 64 posts and 619 visitors in August.� The most popular posts had to do with the Town Supervisor�s recognitions of Phil Griffen and Robert Galusha.

The community heritage continues to be recognized and commemorated with another successful Turning Point parade and 770 visitors to 18th Century Day at the Schuyler House.�

September 16, 2017 - 1:00 p.m. - Heritage Hunters will host Thomas Ruller, Assistant Commissioner & State Archivist for the NYS Department of Education.� He will be speaking on state court records accessible through the NYS Archives.

September 19, 2017 - 10:00 a.m. - Deputy Historian, Pat Peck is facilitating the Genealogy Group at the Schuylerville Public Library� �

September 28, 2017 - 7:30 p.m. - The Old Saratoga Historical Association will meet on the Village of Schuylerville history, presented by Historian Krissy Saddlemire.�

October 10, 2017 - �12:00 Noon - Historian Sean Kelleher will be presenting on Virginia �Ginger: Sweet, a World War II Women�s Air Force Service Pilot from Quaker Springs, at the Quaker Springs Sunshiners Club at the Quaker Springs Firehouse at Noon.

Please Note: Deputy Historian, Pat Peck, is in need of old photos for the 2018 Town of Saratoga Historical Calendar, which she produces each year as project of the Historical Association.� She can be reached through the Historian�s office.�

�

Assessor�s report for August 2017: �During the month of August there were 25 sales transfers; 17 transfers were valid sales and 8 were non-valid.�� The sales represented (21) residential properties and (4) vacant land parcels.� This summer she had the time and was able to add escrow account information to all parcels that have an escrow account.�

�

Office hours: Monday - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

�� Wednesday - 9:00 a.m. � 1:00 p.m.

Highway Superintendent�s August 2017 report:

v Road side mowing, sign replacements, potholes and washouts

v Asphalt shimming on Fitch, Southard and Minnie Bennett Rds.

v Ditching on Swamp Rd. and Shoulders on Southard Rd.

v Truck 1 light repair and inspection

v Deck and boom mower maintenance completed

v Had tailboard repair on truck 5 and tail gate repair on truck 3

v Changed AC compressor on the Gradall

v Crack-sealed Caldwell and half of Fitch Rds.

v Borrowed Schuylerville�s Elgin Sweeper for our developments

v Used Victory for flagging and 1 truck from Northumberland for shoulders

v Hauled rubble and used our boom mower at the trailhead

v Did repair work on Tow path and ditching on Schuyler Dr. for Victory

v Hauled blacktop with Northumberland with two trucks for 3 days

v New hire is Jim Doubleday

Supervisor�s report: �

�� ���SUPERVISOR�S REPORT August 2017

�� GENERAL FUND � TOWNWIDE (A FUND)��

�� Balance on hand 08/01/2017�� $ 1,274,228.98

�� Revenues�� +� ��6,924.58

�� Disbursements�� - ��330,620.71

�� Balance 08/31/2017�� $ ��950,532.85

��

�� GENERAL FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (B FUND)

�� Balance on hand 08/01/2017�� $ 1,520,939.00

�� Revenues�� +� ��4,408.29

�� Disbursements�� - ��10,290.34

�� Balance 08/31/2017�� $ 1,515,056.95

�� HIGHWAY FUND � OUTSIDE VILLAGE (DB FUND)

�� Balance on hand 08/01/2017�� $ ��941,490.14

�� Revenues�� + ��118,984.70

�� Disbursements�� -� ��194,340.36

�� Balance 08/31/2017�� $ ��866,134.48

�� SCHUYLER PARK 08/31/2017�� $ 180,059.03

YOUTH RECREATION & SERVICE 08/31/2017�� $� ��3,980.61

��

�� HIGHWAY EQUIPMENT RESERVE 08/31/2017�� $ ��85,612.03

�� BUILDING RESERVE 08/31/2017�� $ 255,052.76��

�� TRUST & AGENCY 08/31/2017�� $�� 28,165.34��

�� MOBILE HOME GRANT 08/31/201�� $�� 0.00

�� HOME IMPROVEMENT GRANT#2 08/31/2017 �� $�� 81,325.76

�� (holding checks until funds are deposited)

�� CDBG GRANT 08/30/2017�� $�� 0.00

�� HISTORIC HUDSON HOOSIC RIVER 07/31/2017�� $�� 16,945.49

�� PARTNERSHIP

�� SCENIC BY WAYS GRANT 08/31/2017�� $�� 311.21

��

�� PARK RESERVE 08/31/2017�� $ 151,956.55

��

PROPERTY CAP RESERVE 08/31/2017�� $� ��1,038.71

��

v Sales Tax Received � June 2017 - $99,948.00

v Mortgage Tax - May 2017 - $7,740.50

��

Public comments on agenda items: No comments

�

Committee reports: �

Landfill: No report

Insurance: No report

��

Youth: No report

Senior Citizens:� Councilman James Jennings stated the Old Saratoga Seniors met on September 6, 2017, at the Fish Creek Rod & Gun Club for a picnic lunch, along with the Quaker Springs Sunshiners who were invited to join them.� A total of 52 were in attendance and had a wonderful time.� The Old Saratoga Seniors will next meet on September 20, 2017, for a luncheon meeting at the Town Hall.

Parks/Schuyler Park Committee: �Councilman Gary Squires stated the Park Committee met on August 29, 2017, for their bimonthly meeting and discussed the following:�

� Schuyler Park Website - There had been questions regarding the viability of links on the website.� Those links will be checked to be sure they are functioning properly.

Maintenance Actions - Irrigation equipment was out of service for one week which created some stress for the fields.� It is now operating correctly and the system will be closely monitored to ensure continued proper operation.

Town of Saratoga highway department graded the entrance and parking areas and the Town of Northumberland highway department continues to keep the trash receptacles empty and the park cleaned up.

Coaches & athletes have been reminded to pick up after themselves.

Park Usage - School and Old Saratoga Athletic Association (OSAA) soccer has started.� East end pavilion continues to be well utilized.� The playground is in good shape; additional mulch may be added if deemed necessary.
Friends of Schuyler Park - Winter Fund Raiser/Trivia Night to be scheduled for January or February.
Future Plans - West end pavilion concrete to be poured prior to October, 2017.

Boulders will be placed adjacent to speed bumps to help guide traffic over bumps.

Irrigation equipment to be relocated to West End pavilion in November, after concrete is in place and the need for irrigation is satisfied.

Girl Scouts have been given permission to place returnable beverage container collection bins at the park to support fund raising efforts.

Information tables will be in place at the request of the Schuylerville Library�s director for an upcoming 5k event.

Office of Emergency Management: Sherry Doubleday stated that she is working on updating the emergency evacuation plan & procedures and has sent Supervisor Thomas Wood the paperwork to update names and phone numbers; once she receives that information she can continue with the full update of the plan.

GSES, QSFD Reports: Nash Alexander, Wilton EMS, reported the transition and merging of the General Schuyler Emergency Squad into the Wilton EMS has been completed.� For the month of August, they had 236 calls system wide, 56 of which were for the Schuylerville Station.� They�ve had 2900 calls to date this year.�

Don Ormsby, Quaker Springs Fire Department, reported they had 76 calls to date this year.

Old Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood reminded the Board that there is a mandatory Work Place Harassment and Sexual Harassment Training Workshop at 10:00 a.m. on September 14, 2017, for all Town employees and at 1:00 p.m. Distracted Driving Training for the Highway Department will follow.

New Business: Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that Attorney William Reynolds has completed the first draft of the Timber Harvesting Law and asked everyone to review it, mark it up and next month the Board will talk about it.� He then stated that he seeks three (3) residents from Saratoga lake area, to join with the Board, Planning Chairman Ian Murray, Zoning Officer Gil Albert and himself to go over the proposed law in late October; date to be announced.� He added we are in the third month of the six month moratorium and working toward completion, but must do this right.� If it becomes necessary, the moratorium can be extended.� He stated he will put the first draft of the Timber Harvesting law on the web page.

Supervisor Thomas Wood stated that Annette Osher was to bring in a petition asking NYS DOT to lower the speed limit to 45 miles per hour on NYS Rt. 29, between Fire Lane #7 and Homestead Rd.� As she did not appear, Resolution #17-87 - Request to Lower Speed Limit on NYS Rt. 29, will be held for another meeting.

On a motion made by Councilman Gary Squires, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-88 - Accept Annual Audit Findings, 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 had the Town�s 2016 Financial Operations and Procedures audited by BST, LLC; and

�� WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga has reviewed the findings with no exceptions noted in any department, therefore be it,

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the findings as presented (the audit is on file in the Town Clerk�s office).��

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #17-89 - Authorizing Court Action - Calvin Gong, 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 Town Attorney William Reynolds to initiate legal action in local court against Calvin Gong, due to his failure to comply with the Order to Remedy issued on December 7, 2016, as well as a second notice on June 22, 2017, by Zoning Officer Gil Albert, regarding his property at 1390 Route 9P.

On a motion made by Councilman Charles Hanehan, seconded by Councilman Gary Squires, the following Resolution #17-90 - Accepting New York State�s Assessor Rule Change, 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 been notified that New York State has changed the rule of assessors having to sit with the tax role for a half day one Saturday in the month of May; therefore be it,

RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Saratoga to accept the rule that assessors no longer have to sit a half day with the tax roll on the one specified Saturday in May.

On a motion made by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Michael McLoughlin, the following Resolution #17-92 - Authorizing Town Attorney to Amend Junk Yard Regulations, 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 Town Attorney William Reynolds to draft a law amending the current junk yard regulation.

After a lengthy discussion between the Board, Zoning Officer Gil Albert and Town Attorney William Reynolds, it was decided the amendment should contain specific hours of operation for the retail portion of the business and for the moving of inventory, crushing and stacking of vehicles.� For the retail portion, they decided hours should be 7 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday - Friday, and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sundays.

For the moving of inventory, crushing of vehicles and stacking of vehicles, hours should be 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. or 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.� No Weekends and No Operations on Holidays.

Supervisor Thomas Wood stated the Board received a thank you note from Ashleigh Gale, recipient of the Town Boards� Scholarship and from the Schuylerville Flower Club.

Privilege of the floor: The following addressed the Board with their concerns:

Barbara Faraone, 42 Spruce Ridge Rd., Hub Miller, 97 Brown Rd., Ted Mosher, 294 Hayes Rd., Sherry O�Dell, 286 Hayes Rd., Nelson Snowden, 291 Hayes Rd., Sally Snowden, 291 Hayes Rd., Randy O�Dell, 99 Brown Rd. and Tom Yannios, Hill Rd.

Upcoming meetings:

v Town Board Budget Workshop - September 20, 2017 at 6:30 p.m.

v Agenda meeting � Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.

v Regular Town Board meeting � Wednesday, October 11, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. �

Audit the Bills: On a motion by Councilman James Jennings, seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan, the following Resolution #17-93 - Approving the Payment of Bills in Abstract 9G 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 9G in the following amounts:

General Fund DB �� Voucher No. 150 through 164 �� $ ��6,353.90

General Fund A�� Voucher No. 267 through 293�� $� 35,450.59

General Fund B�� Voucher No. 46 through 47 �� $� ��263.25

Schuyler Park H�� Voucher No. 20, 22 & 23 �� $�� 575.78

Farmland Protection�� Voucher No. 08�� $�� 3,375.00

HH�� Voucher No. 56 through 58 �� $�� 6,819.82

� ��

�� Grand Total�� $ �52,838.34

A motion to adjourn at 9:36 p.m. was made by Councilman James Jennings and seconded by Councilman Charles Hanehan. �Supervisor Thomas Wood - aye, Councilman Charles Hanehan � aye, Councilman Michael McLoughlin � aye, Councilman James Jennings � aye, Councilman Gary Squires � aye.

Carried� 5 - 0

Meeting Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda A. McCabe

Town Clerk