Village Board Minutes

December 17, 2025 (40)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held December 17, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Miller called the meeting to order &led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:  Trustee Bedell, Trustee Clark, Trustee Kirchhoff & Trustee Stollery were present.

Minutes of December 3, 2025 meeting are unavailable and approval was tabled.

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ONLY) – none.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 12/17/2025 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved payment of abstract #13 in the amount of: Payroll  $47,934.96 (#0571); General $68,755.30 ( #0572-0600; 0606-0612); Water $713.86(#0601-0602; 0606-0607; 0612); and Sewer $3,977.91 (#0603-0607; 0609-0612).
Carried – 4 – 0

US Treasury has confirmed the Village is fully compliant in closing out the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds received and used primarily for reconstruction of Palmer Ave.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Granger was present.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Ins Hepner was present, report for 12/17/2025 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board reviewed the Parking and Traffic Device Schedules provided by Atty Buettner & Supt Lozier.  The recent amendments to the Village’s Vehicle & Traffic Law removed these schedules from the Code in order to allow the Village to adopt them via resolution to simplify making changes as necessary.

Resolution #39 approved, adoption of Parking Schedules pursuant to Village Code: 467.

The Board discussed hiring a new Motor Equipment Operator to fill a vacancy at DPW.  Mayor Miller recused himself from the discussion.

Resolution #40 approved, hiring of Dennis LaBrake as MEO at $26.75 per hour.
Trustee Bedell – aye; Trustee Clark - aye; Trustee Kirchhoff - aye; Trustee Stollery - aye; Mayor Miller –abstain

The Board discussed proposed amendments to Section 281-6 of the Village Code relating to garbage & recycling toter placement for collection.  The Board discussed amending the current placement and removal times, modifying the storage sites, and removing the requirement to be five feet away from a guardrail.  The Board also requested the addition of language allowing for Board discretion.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved publication of notice of a public hearing on proposed Local Law 1 of 2026 amending Chapter 281 “Garbage Refuse & Recycling” to be held January 7, 2026, 6:00 PM at the Firehouse.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed purchasing drones for use by the Fire Department with Chief Granger & 1^st Assistant Chief Derek Briner.  The Chiefs explained the equipment could be used in investigating brush fires, river rescues, monitoring roof conditions of building fires and interior fire situations without risking lives.  Drones have thermal imaging capacity and can take snapshots and record video.  Use of the drones would become part of firefighters’ standard operating procedure.  Asst Chief Briner has already obtained FAA licensing as required for operation of drones above a certain class and six other firefighters are interested in becoming licensed.  Training for drone operation is available free of charge from OSHA.  Trustee Bedell expressed the hope that the Town would be more open to fire protection contract negotiation next year given the equipment being of most use in the Town.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved purchase of two drones from B & H for $9,314.06 under NYS contract, and authorized payment of up to $200 per required FAA licensing fee.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed an application for funding under the 2025 New York State Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant program.  Funding can be used toward equipment and tools used in both wildland and interior firefighting; Chief Granger stated the hose purchased by the Fire Department this year is eligible.  Funding up to $3,500 is available. 

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved application to the 2025 New York State Volunteer Fire Capacity Grant program for up to $3,500.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Bovee, White St, addressed the Board regarding illegal parking and lack of garbage toter storage on Seventh St.  Mr. Bovee produced pictures of vehicles parked diagonally, vehicles parked on the sidewalk, and vehicles impeding snow removal.  Mr. Bovee recommended the Code prohibiting parking from 11PM – 6AM November through April should be no parking all hours November through April to allow proper plowing.  Mr. Bovee also has concerns with liability if someone were to be injured because of the parking on the sidewalk.  Mayor Miller assured him the violations are being addressed.

Jason Petrovitch, Pine St, inquired about the website update.  The “.gov” address is currently active, but the new web design is still in the process.

John Tangora, Wall St, requested the Board give a firm date of when the Seventh St parking violations will be remedied and spoke of Building Code violations at the apartment building.  Mr. Tangora suggested making the Building Inspector position full time to be able to address more issues and taking a firmer stance on court fines for unaddressed violations.  Insp Hepner stated he is in the process of addressing violations at the property and the mayor stressed the Board is committed to addressing the issues with disrepair of properties in the Village.

Jeanine Butler, Corinth Image Committee, addressed the Board regarding the Hometown Christmas Decorating Contest.  There are currently 22 participants with gift certificates to Ace Hardware being offered as prizes.  Ms. Butler distributed maps of the registrants to the Board and asked them to vote on the “Board’s Choice” award.  Ms. Butler indicated there may be a similar decorating contest for Halloween in 2026.

Willard Bovee, Pine St property owner, questioned the Board regarding the Minimum Value Charges (MVC) for water/sewer accounts not currently using water.  The Board explained all properties with a connection to the system pay MVC per Village Code as the property value is enhanced by access to the infrastructure.

Jim Murray, Center St, asked about progress with school zone cameras in the Village.  Atty Buettner explained permission requires Home Rule Legislation from Albany.  Mr. Murray encouraged the Board to work with the school & Legislature to obtain permission.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Bedell recounted an issue with people parking on both sides of Center St near the school to drop off children instead of using the drop-off loop.

Trustee Stollery questioned the condition of the former Baptist Church on the corner of Palmer Ave and Main St.  Insp Hepner stated it appears to be structurally intact based on his observations, Trustee Kirchhoff agreed based on his recent tour of the property, butit needs significant interior work.  A full structural investigation and determination would require opinions from two engineers.

Mayor Miller inquired about his request to explore another water billing option to reduce overages; Don Rhodes is working on a letter using 2022 data.  The mayor stated he would call Mr. Rhodes.  The mayor recommended a four-way stop at the intersection of Center St and Mechanic St after observing numerous issues including speeding, rolling stops and lack of stopping at stop signs.  Trustee Clark and Atty Buettner stated NY State DOT prefers other measures to mitigate issues before installing a four-way stop including recommending traffic studies as a best practice.  The Board agreed to discuss the issue at the next Board meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, that Board adjourn, 7:33 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer