Village Board Minutes

October 7, 2026 (23)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held October 7, 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 Clark & Trustee Kietzman were present.  Trustee Stollery was excused.  Trustee Bedell arrived late.

Motion by Trustee Kietzman, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved minutes of September 16, 2026 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board discussed a request from Rev. Simon Udemgba of the Holy Mother & Child Parish requesting a reduction to the water bill for St. Mary’s Cemetery.  There is a leak in the cemetery water line that has been difficult to fix and resulted in a large water bill.  Under Village Code the Board has no authority to forgive charges for water used and the request was denied.

The Board discussed a request from Kevin & Michelle Cleveland from Central House Storage to reduce sewer charges on the accountfor 24 Saratoga Ave.  The Clevelands had a sprinkler attached to the water at 24 Saratoga Ave to water the landscaping at their 28 Saratoga Ave facility.  The Board tabled the request to investigate more fully.

At 6:05 PM Trustee Bedell arrived.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 10/7/2026 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved payment of abstract #8 in the amount of: Payroll $82,042.46 (#0349-351); General $106,776.28 (#0352-0408; 0419-0424); Water $9,705.70 (#0409-0410; 0416-0419; 0420-0423); Sewer $ 362,790.45 ( #00411-0417; 0419-0424); and Capital Projects $2,550.50 (#0342).
Carried – 3 – 0

Bids for the Heath St/Hill Ave Project were received 9/30/2026 as follows: DA Collins/Kubricky Construction: $3,389,400; J&K Trucking & Excavating: $1,486,090; and Luizzi Brothers: $2,258,900.

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

Chief Granger stated he has spoken with Laberge Group’s grant writers and is working to obtain a budgetary quote for a fire truck.  Chief Granger also stated if the grant is awarded all funds must be expended within 24 months.  Fire trucks usually take from two to three years to build.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was excused.

OLD BUSINESS

The Board discussed a shared services agreement with the Town of Corinth for Building Inspector coverage September 8, 2026 – September 8, 2027 with an hourly rate of $24.50 for responses outside the Town Building Inspector’s normal operating hours and mileage at the IRS rate from his home to the location.

Resolution #27 approved, mayoral signature on shared service agreement with the Town of Corinth for Building Inspector coverage 9/8/2026 – 9/8/2027; $24.50 per hour call ins after business hours plus mileage.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board tabled setting public hearing on proposed local laws regarding tax exemptions for further clarification.

The Board discussed a resolution authorizing mayoral signature on a Community Development Block Grant application for funds for a fire truck purchase.  Chief Granger’s general estimate on cost of a new truck was $1.1 million; he is in the process of obtaining a more specific quote.  Trustee Bedell and Mayor Miller expressed concerns with covering costs associated with the truck over what might be awarded by a grant.  The Village currently has about $550,000 in the equipment reserve.  Trustee Kietzman questioned if a new truck is urgently needed and recommended taking time to work up detailed specifications before a possible application for next year.  Trustee Bedell recommended a possible feasibility study to determine if a new truck is necessary.  Trustee Clark felt a feasibility study was a waste of funds and stated the Village could bond for the difference between the cost and grant funds.  Board consensus was not to apply for CDBG funding this year, Trustee Clark dissented.

Due to the discrepancy in bids received for the Heath St/Hill Ave Project, Project Engineer Don Rhodes recommend the Board set aside all bids and rebid upon revision of contract documents to clarify ambiguities.

Resolution #28 approved, setting aside all Heath St/Hill Ave Project bids received September 30, 2026 and setting a new bid opening date of November 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM in the Village Hall upon clarification of contract documents.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Dave Roberts, W. Mechanic St, inquired about the status of Reservoir Property trail signage and stated he was willing to assist in any effort for emergency responders to locate lost or injured hikers.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Clark requested Maple St sidewalks be replaced this budget year and also requested meeting materials be made available earlier.

At 7:02 PM Chief Granger was excused.

Trustee Kietzman questioned if the Board should issue a written opinion to the notice received from NYS Office of Cannabis Management of a licensing request for 101 Main St.  Atty Jordyn Conway stated the OCM was generally seeking comments from the municipality about any code violations issued against the applicant or prior history with the Village.  Atty Conway also stated any future Zoning changes would not affect the current application.  The Board consensus was to not issue a written opinion.

Mayor Miller stated he will follow up with Atty Buettner regarding proceeding against the owner of 205 Pine St for Code Violations and that he and Trustee Bedell were meeting with another MEO applicant.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, that Board adjourn, 7:27 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer