Village Board Minutes

April 5, 2006 (84)

A public hearing and regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was held April 5, 2006, 6:00 PM in the Corinth Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Chief Steve Denton led the pledge of allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustees Denno, Densmore, Enekes, and Lescault were present.

Mayor Winslow congratulated Steve Denton on his election to the position of Fire Chief, Julius Enekes on his election to the position of Trustee, and Melanie Denno on her re-election as Trustee.

A public hearing having been duly advertised in the GF Post Star on March 23, 2006 was held re: changing the zoning of 107 Mechanic Street. 

Mayor Winslow opened the public hearing at 6:03 PM and read the proposed change to the portion of land containing the old firehouse from the current zoning of Village Residential to Village Business.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Ellen Mosher of Grandma’s Realty spoke of a potential buyer that would like to use the building as apartments upstairs and use the downstairs for his own personal storage.

Betty Wendell voiced her concerns with increased traffic due to a business usage.  Ms. Wendell feels it is currently an unsafe traffic area as it is, and she pointed out that the stop sign is placed on the wrong side of the street.

Louise Kirkpatrick questioned what businesses are allowed in the Business District.  Atty Avigdor answered.

Mayor Winslow thanked the public for their input and closed the public hearing at 6:12 PM.

 

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

 

A public hearing having been duly advertised in the GF Post Star on March 27, 2006 was held re: the proposed 2006/2007 budget.

Mayor Winslow opened the public hearing at 6:13 PM and read the published announcement before turning the floor over to Treas Fuller.

Treas Fuller distributed handouts illustrating a break down of the costs of Village services to the taxpayers.  Treas Fuller also explained that the proposed budget includes the cost of a new police officer for Friday and Saturday nights, a new generator for the DPW garage, a leaf clamp and snowplow for one of the trucks.  It also reflects the increased cost of fuel, electricity, insurance and health insurance.  Treas Fuller pointed out that the overall tax increase is minimal, but unfortunately many residents will see a greater increase due to increases in the assessments by the Town Tax Assessor’s office. 

The public and Board members discussed the budget extensively.  Members of the public expressed concern over increasing tax rates affecting the elderly and people on fixed incomes.  Some members of the public questioned whether there was a possibility of implementing a senior citizen tax freeze.  Atty Avigdor and Treas Fuller stated that such a proposal is being considered by Assemblywoman Sayward, but that it would need to be something implemented at the state level.  Board members and several residents commended the Treas on his work on the budget and the department heads for keeping their budgets at a minimum.

Mayor Winslow stated that no decision on the budget could be made at this time, thanked the public for their input and closed the public hearing at 6:37 PM.

 

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

 

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 5, 2006 at 6:38 PM.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Denno approved the minutes of regular mtg March 22, 2006 and organizational mtg April 3, 2006 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

Mayor Winslow will instruct the DPW to move the stop sign at the old firehouse to the proper side of the street and look into better striping.

Resolution #146 approved, declaration of the Village Board as lead agency for SEQRA in reviewing the proposed zoning map change.

Resolution #147 approved, declaration of no negative environmental impact from the proposed zoning change pursuant to SEQRA.

Resolution #148 approved, adoption of proposed change in zoning map.

Resolution #149 approved, subdivision of lot at tax parcel #73.42-1-1.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK – Clerk Colson was present, report for 4/5/06 read & filed.

Clerk Colson noted that the Local Law of a Moratorium on Waste Disposal Facilities was recorded by the Department of State as of 3/28/06.

Clerk Colson also informed the Board that the renovations at the Village Hall were completed and commended the DPW crew and Andy Neville on the excellent work they did.  The Hall not only looks fantastic, but the consideration and cooperation shown by the work crew was greatly appreciated by the Village Hall staff.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved publication of the hydrant flushing schedule in the P/S News.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication of the scheduled brush pick-up in the P/S News.
Carried – 4 – 0

TREASURER – Treas Fuller was present, report for 4/5/06 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved payment of abstract #20: Payroll $35,315.60; General $68,566.77; Water $6,175.85; Sewer $10,836.72; Reserves $14,923.95
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution # 150 approved, budget transfers.

Treas Fuller addressed the Board about a request from MARS to place a 90 day moratorium on their payments for their revolving loan.  Treas Fuller recommended we honor the request; MARS has always made payments on time and only has a few payments left.   Atty Avigdor reviewed the application and the Board agreed to suspend payments for 90 days.

POLICE – Chief Kane was excused, report for 3/15/06 – 4/2/06 read & filed.

Resolution #151 approved, hiring of Nicholas Denno as full time patrol officer effective immediately.

FIRE DEPT – Chief Denton was present, report for March read & filed.

The fire department floors were sealed and waxed last week.  The Mayor asked the Clerk to send a letter to School Supt Breitenbach thanking the school for the loan of the equipment.

The outside lighting for the firehouse was quoted as five poles for $3,000.  Treas Fuller recommended waiting until the next budget year to order the poles.

Chief Denton and Trustee Denno are researching what type of landscaping would be appropriate for the retaining wall next to the firehouse.  Due to safety concerns the Board will instruct DPW to put up temporary fencing.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier excused, reports for March read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved DPW summer hours, Mon – Thurs 10 hours per day, effective May 1, 2006 until further action of the Board.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno approved the hiring of two part-time seasonal laborers for the DPW and one part-time seasonal laborer for the WWTP beginning May 1, 2006.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #152 approved, additional water hook-up added to Hudson Grove water district.

The Board reviewed two quotes for repairing the settling tanks at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.  The quote from Precision Welding is the lowest at $16,500.  The Board decided to request a detailed scope of work and contract from Tom Plummer at Precision Welding for review at the 4/19 Board meeting.

Supt Lozier’s report also commended the DPW crew and Andy Neville on their work at the Village Hall.  Foreman Pete Walsh allowed the Village to use his personal carpentry tools for the project which saved the Village a substantial amount of money.  The Board instructed the Clerk to send a letter to Foreman Walsh thanking him.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Neville was present, report for 3/17/06 – 4/5/06 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved publication of reminder of property maintenance code in the P/S News.
Carried – 4 – 0

Insp Neville requested an executive session to discuss a litigation matter.

The Board discussed with the inspector the condition of the fire damaged house at 338 Main Street, Insp Neville will speak to the owner about removing any remaining garbage from the inside of the building.

ATTORNEY – Atty Avigdor present, report of 4/5/06 read & filed.

Resolution #153 approved, mayoral signing of contract with Laberge for Dam rehabilitation permits.

Atty Avigdor stated that he had attended 7 parking ticket trials this afternoon, 5 were disposed of ACOD, one found guilty, and one in which the officer & defendant did not appear.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication of notice of public hearing to review a proposed local law relating to FOIL on May 3, ‘06 at 6:00PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.
Carried – 4 – 0

OLD BUSINESS

Status of the proposed sign law pending.

A joint Town & Village Board meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday April 19, ’06 at 6:00 PM at the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave to discuss the creation of a CLDC.

The Board requested the Atty draft the discussed changes to the village code concerning the water & sewer for Board review.

Resolution # 154 approved, adoption of Village Cell Phone Policy.

The Board discussed making revisions to the draft law prohibiting placing water on Village streets and sidewalks.  No action was taken.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed scheduling a third meeting each month until the revisions to the zoning laws are completed.  No action was taken.

Resolution #155 approved, resignation of Julius Enekes from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Resolution #156 approved, resignation of Grahame Champagne from the JEDC.

The Board instructed Clerk Colson to send a letter to Grahame Champagne thanking him for his many years of service to the Joint Economic Development Committee.

Trustee Densmore provided the Board with a list of all properties owned by the Village and thanked Bev Jacon for her assistance in compiling the information.  A map indicating where the properties are located will be at the DPW garage and the Village Hall.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved acquiring an appraisal on a piece of landlocked Village owned property off Palmer Avenue.
Carried – 4 – 0

Trustee Densmore also presented the Board with a statistical compilation of the Village’s current grant monies including amounts, dates, required completion dates, etc.  Mayor Winslow commended Trustee Densmore on the effort she has put into the project which will help preserve continuity in tracking the grants.

The Board encouraged the Scenic Rail Committee to continue pursuing sources of grant funding for the Scenic Railway development.  Trustee Densmore also informed the public of a tentative date scheduled for a Scenic Rail Committee Open House at the firehouse on May 1, 2006 from 5:30 to 8:00 PM.  The community is encouraged to attend and learn more about the Scenic Rail project.

The Board discussed a request by Sylvia Eggleston to remove a street light in front of her property which was installed for lighting at the old firehouse on Mechanic Street.  National Grid is able to remove the street light at their cost if the Village has no objections.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno approved a letter to be drafted to National Grid giving permission to remove the streetlight in front of the Mechanic Street firehouse.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Claude Jean questioned the addition of the water hook-up in the Hudson Grove water district, Mayor Winslow responded.

Barbara Weatherwax submitted 37 more signed letters from residents regarding zoning changes and the moratorium.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno informed the public that she was researching the cost of having a speaker system installed for Board meetings at the firehouse.

Trustee Enekes requested setting a time to tour the various departments and village facilities.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore that the Board adjourn to executive session to discuss a litigation matter as requested by Bldg Insp Neville, 8:15 PM. 
Carried – 4 – 0

At 8:31 PM the Board reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Densmore that the Board adjourns, 8:35 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

 

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk