Village Board Minutes

April 1, 2026 (59)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 1, 2026 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 Kirchhoff & Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Clark was late & Trustee Bedell was excused.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved minutes of March 16, 2026 special meeting; March 18, 2026 public hearing & regular meeting; and March 24, 2026 special meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER -  Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 4/1/2026 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved payment of abstract #20 in the amount of: Payroll $41,567.70 ( #0890-0891); General $64,492.31 ( #0892-0931; 0942-0948); Water   $ 3,183.57 ( #0932; 0943-0944; 0946-0949); Sewer $11,331.15 ( #0933-0940; 0942-0949); and Capital Projects $1,600.00 (#0941).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #57 approved, budget transfers.

March 18, 2026 General Election results were as follows: Michael Bedell – 120 votes; Jennifer Kietzman – 109 votes; and Charles Pasquarell – 88 votes.

Clerk-Treas Colson received clarification from the Board on special police protection contract pricing for the budget.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Granger was present, report for March 2026 read & filed.

Chief Granger submitted a list of Fire Officers for approval at the Organizational meeting and a clean copy of the Drone Policy.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for March 2026 read & filed.

DPW has been occupied with street sweeping, brush pickup, and other winter cleanup activities.

The Annual Water Quality Report is available.  Mayor Miller commented that the number of gallons pumped vs treated at WWTP are getting closer.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 4/1/2026 read & filed.

The Board relayed trash tote violations & a possible building code issue to Insp Hepner.

OLD BUSINESS

RJ Miller is not willing to make requested changes to the grant writing contract and has increased the proposed cost by $4,000.  The Board consensus was to request a quote from Laberge Group for blanket grant writing.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #58 approved, hiring of Bonnie Potter as Park Attendant as of May 22, 2026 at $18.50 per hour.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved purchase of two sets of turnout gear from Garrison for $10,893.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #59 approved, appointment of Kendra Schieber as Planning Board member for a vacant term ending June 2027.

Resolution #60 approved, accept resignation of Dennis LaBrake from DPW effective 3/20/2026.

Mayor Miller stated he will speak to Sheriff Brown regarding increasing enforcement of motor vehicle infractions up to and including issuing tickets and impounding vehicles.

Resolution #61 approved, accept resignation of Jennifer Kietzman from Planning Board effective April 6, 2026.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Louise Kirkpatrick, Dunn Ave, requested the Board consider a moratorium on solar farms, battery storage facilities, and AI businesses to investigate power supply and pollution issues.  Ms. Kirkpatrick also suggested updating the Comprehensive Master Plan to address PILOT programs and job creation.

At 6:35 PM Trustee Clark arrived.

John Tangora, Wall St, requested the Board require the Village Attorney to explain in a public meeting the process of enforcing the Nuisance Code and the point accumulation formula.  Mr. Tangora also requested the Board force owners of boarded up buildings to put them up for sale and pull certificates of occupancy for Nuisance Code violations.  Mr. Tangora commented on the Special Protection contract with the Sheriff’s Department and urged the Board to do a study on creating a Fire District and a moratorium on PILOT programs.  Mr. Tangora expressed frustration with the potential 5% tax rate increase and dissatisfaction with the Clerk-Treasurer’ssalary and business hours and encouraged the Board to make “hard decisions” in order to keep down budget expenses.

Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, addressed the Board regarding potentially hazardous conditions at the former Baptist Church at 2 Palmer Ave.  Insp Hepner stated he is addressing the situation.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Mayor Miller stated the Board is looking into more affordable options for Village surveillance cameras, evaluating a report from Laberge on potential water/sewer billing options, and working to address properties in disrepair and vacant buildings.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Clark, that Board adjourn, 6:48 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer