Village Board Minutes

September 2, 2026 (18)

A public hearing and regular meeting of the Village Board were held September 2, 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 Bedell, Trustee Kietzman & Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Clark was excused.

A public hearing as published in The Post Star on August 20, 2026 was held at 6:00 PM regarding the Village’s proposed Local Law 3 of 2026: Temporary Moratorium Prohibiting Applications and Permits for Data Storage Facilities and Battery Energy Storage Systems in the Village.

The proposed moratorium is a twelve-month period preventing review of applications for data storage and battery energy storage with two potential extensions of an additional twelve-months each to evaluate and amend Zoning Code to address such facilities as necessary.  The County approved the proposed moratorium with comments encouraging establishment of proper benchmarks and budgets for the moratorium and subsequent Code changes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Murray, Center St, spoke in favor of the moratorium encouraging the Board to bring in an expert in lithium batteries and data storage to get accurate information.  Mr. Murray also expressed concern with reliable way to recycle lithium batteries.

With no further comments from the public Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 6:04 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held September 2, 2026 at 6:04 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, approved minutes of August 19, 2026 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 9/2/2026 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved payment of abstract #6 in the amount of: Payroll $47,301.80 (#0270-0271); General $69,528.65 (#0272-0291; 0294-0298; 0300); Water $6,773.83 ( #0295-0299; 0301)  and Sewer $13,088.63 (#0292-0301).
Carried – 3 – 0

Clerk-Treas Colson stated the Main St/Sherman Ave project was awarded hardship status by the EFC and scored over the funding line in Clean Water, but not in Drinking Water.  CDBG funding will be pursued.

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

Chief Granger submitted a breakdown of calls for 2025-2026.

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

Supt Lozier stated Dunn Ave is nearly completed, and a downed tree was removed from the Reservoir Property.

The Board discussed leaf & brush pick up and determinedin order to save fuel and allocation of manpower, pick up will only be completed on Monday and Thursday each week.  Notifications will be posted online.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 9/2/2026 read & filed.

Insp Hepner reported two properties have had condemnations lifted.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #25 approved, adoption of Local Law 3 of 2026 imposing a twelve-month moratorium prohibiting the review, approval of applications, and granting of building or other municipal permits for data storage facilities and battery energy storage systems in the Village.

The Board discussed a proposal from Laberge to submit an application to CDBG for fire truck funding.  Board consensus was to develop a scope for bidding and submit the grant application.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, approved mayoral signature on a proposal from Laberge Group to complete a funding application to the CDBG program for potential fire truck purchase at a cost of $7,500 for the application, $2,500 for SEQR,plus reimbursable expenses.
Carried – 3 – 0

The Board authorized advertising online for two additional crossing guards to provide increased coverage.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, authorized mayoral signature on a letter to Governor Hochul requesting the entire Village be granted Opportunity Zone status.
Carried – 3 – 0

Atty Buettner outlined numerous property tax exemptions currently offered by the Village that require Local Law ratification including a senior exemption that is income based and has not been updated since the 1980s.  The Board also discussed offering additional exemptions such as the Volunteer Firefighter exemption.  Atty Buettner will prepare documents for the Board’s review at the next meeting.

The Board discussed a shared services agreement with the Town of Corinth to provide coverage for Insp Hepner during an upcoming leave.  Mayor Miller will discuss the terms with Supervisor Butler prior to the next meeting.

Clerk-Treas Colson shared quotes for various shredders for use at the Village Hall: Repeat Business Formax 8602CC for $3,664 and Formax 8402CC for $2,879, both with self-oiling mechanisms.  The Formax 8602CC is also available from Amazon with no manufacturer warranty or self-oiling device for $2,868. 

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, approved purchase of Formax 8402CC shredder from Repeat Business for $2,879.
Carried – 3 – 0

The Board discussed the two suggestions submitted for placement of the former Baptist Church bell on Village property and ultimately decided on installation at Pagenstecher Park.

The Board discussed disposition of the former Police Department building at 300 Mill St.  The building is currently used for cold storage.  Trustee Kietzman recommended the stored items be moved to DPW property and the building sold.  Board consensus was to keep the building for storage.  The mayor noted the Village should have a written agreement with the Youth Hockey allowing storage of equipment in the building.

The Board discussed further details about possible leasing of dock space for river cruises.  Atty Buettner is working to determine what OGS and /or DEC approval may be needed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Murray, Center St, commented on the use of 300 Mill St and the state of the building.

Jason Petrovitch, Pine St, suggested the Board consider grants for Comprehensive Master Planning during the moratorium period.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Kietzman suggested the Board consider amending Zoning to revise requirements for rental unit parking; requested a workshop to discuss abandoned buildings and properties; and an update on progress on determining properties under the Nuisance Code.

Trustee Stollery suggested revoking the Planning Board’s authority to approve projects in order to allow Board of Trustee approval.

Mayor Miller shared statistics from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department; recommended the Board review current Code regarding obstructions on the sidewalks; and possibly adding language to Zoning regarding location of apartments in the business district buildings.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, that Board adjourn, 7:24 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer