Village Board Minutes

March 12, 2008 (68)

A special meeting of the Village Board was held March 12, 2008 in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Supt Lozier led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustees Denno, Densmore and Enekes were present.  Trustee Lescault was excused.
Also present: Supt Lozier, Chief Kelley, Treas Fuller, Atty Auffredou & Clerk Colson

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #94 approved appointing Joyce Day as election inspector at $8.50 per hour.

The Board discussed Supt Lozier’s recommendation of using a phosphate residual additive in the water system as a sequestering agent to dissolve scales on iron piping and improve the integrity of the pipes in the system.  The phosphate costs $6,000 per year; setting up a pump and storage tank for the system would cost approximately $700.  The phosphate is odorless, tasteless and does not produce any byproducts when mixed with chlorine.  In the opinion of Alex Rhodes, CT Male, there are no downsides or health issues with the chemical.  Once the Department of Health approves it for use in the Village water system, the Board will make a final decision.

The Board discussed the possibility of combining the clerk & treasurer positions when Treas Fuller retires in July.  Clerk Colson presented the Board with research into the average salaries of Clerk-Treasurer, Deputy Clerk-Treasurer and Deputy Clerk positions in New York State for the Board’s review.  Atty Auffredou stated the Clerk-Treasurer position was a common one in communities such as Hudson Falls.  Treas Fuller pointed out that the Village has previously had a Clerk-Treasurer and Deputy Clerk-Treasurer position.

The Board discussed repaving Lemont Ave; the cost would be approximately $120,000.  Supt Lozier hoped to encourage homeowners to connect their sump pumps to the storm drain instead of the sanitary sewer, which is prohibited by Village Code.  The Board discussed possible funding of the project through fund balance or through taxes and asked Treas Fuller to present them with the options for discussion at the next meeting.

Chief Kelley explained the janitorial cost paid to the officers of the fire department, approximately 4,800 hours are spent cleaning trucks and equipment as well as completing required paperwork and reports.  9 officers are paid approximately $4 per hour for these duties.  Mayor Winslow commented on the excellent state of the building and the equipment, he stressed the community was lucky to have dedicated volunteers instead of paying for a department.

At 6:45 PM Chief Kelley and Supt Lozier were excused.

Trustee Densmore presented to the Board the need for a Parks Department and outlined the maintenance and improvement needs of the various parks.  Among those needs, the Board discussed in detail the reconstruction of Jessup’s Landing Park.  With the combined grant money for the park, the project still requires a $28,750 cash match.  The Board discussed various ways to raise this money, such as fundraisers and other grant applications.

At 7:00 PM Atty Auffredou was excused to attend the Village ZBA meeting.

The Board discussed cost saving measures, such as moving the building inspector’s office to the Village Hall.

The Board discussed canceling the April 2, 2008 regularly scheduled Board meeting and having a special meeting on March 26, 2008.  The Trustees will check their schedules & notify the Clerk.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Densmore that Board adjourn, 7:30 PM.                      Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk