Village Board Minutes

August 16, 2006 (18)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 16, 2006, 6:00 PM at the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Trustee Lescault led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Winslow called for a moment of silence for the recent passing of Norman LeClerc, a WWII veteran that was very active in community organizations and served on numerous committees in the Village.

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

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno approved the minutes of public hearing and regular meeting August 2, 2006 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK – Clerk Colson was present, report of 8/16/06 read & filed.

Clerk Colson reminded the Board of Chief Kane’s previous request to enact a local law setting a time limit on Halloween trick-or-treating.  Chief Kane, Atty Avigdor and the Board discussed the pros and cons of enacting such a law.  After extensive discussion the Board decided not to take action at this time.

TREASURER – Treas Fuller was present, report of 8/16/06 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved payment of abstract #6: Payroll $43,493.31; General $20,251.38; Water $4,442.40; Sewer $4,993.44; and Reserves $13,018.00.
Carried – 4 – 0 

Trustee Enekes asked Treas Fuller why the assessment on the Corinth Commons was lowered.  Treas Fuller stated there was a new law that low income housing must be taxed with different standards than by property value.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Denton was present.

Chief Denton noted that the firemen will have training at the firehouse in September for pump operators.  The sound system is still lacking a few components; it should be complete for next meeting.

POLICE – Chief Kane was present, report of 7/30/06 - 8/16/06 read & filed.

Part time Patrolman David Gardner has resigned.

Trustee Enekes thanked Chief Kane for a recent tour of the police department and encouraged the public to make an appointment with Chief Kane to see all that the department does for the community.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Foreman Walsh was present.

DPW has been extremely busy on Main Street, most of the new water and sewer system is completed, the road should be ready for paving within a week.  Today the DPW replaced a valve “live” which saved the Village approximately $2,000 for a line stop.

Trustee Enekes asked Foreman Walsh to test a certain homeowner’s water due to a complaint about the taste.  Foreman Walsh stated we do water testing every week at random spots throughout the Village.  The homeowner’s water will be sampled and sent for testing.

The Mechanic Street curbing will be re-poured next week at no cost to the Village.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Neville was excused.

ATTORNEY – Atty Avigdor was present, report of 8/16/06 read & filed.

Atty Avigdor requested an executive session on a litigation matter.

Resolution #34 approved, appointment of Steve Conners as hearing officer for labor relations hearing.

Mayor Winslow referred to a request from Homefront Corporation for mayoral signature on a document regarding their takeover of the Corinth Commons.  Homefront is asking for the Village Board’s approval to incorporate as a nonprofit which would remove the Corinth Commons from the tax rolls.  Corinth Commons rent is currently $400-$500, Homefront feels that as a nonprofit they could offer lower rents and perform renovations to the property.  Chief Kane noted that the police department is feeling the impact of lack of management on site at the Commons and is spending quite a bit of time at that location.  After discussion the Board declined to sign the paperwork.

Trustee Lescault asked Atty Avigdor about proceedings against Margaret Green for violations of the building code.  Atty Avigdor explained he is approaching the case as a way to bring about compliance; it has been adjourned to September 19, 2006.

OLD BUSINESS

The Board will be receiving copies of the revised sign law from the clerk for the next meeting.

Trustee Enekes distributed a draft garbage container policy for Board input.  The Board discussed the policy with input from the public.  No action was taken at this time.

Mayor Winslow informed the Board that they are invited to attend a service commemorating September 11 sponsored by the Community of Churches.  The service is at 7:00 PM with a parade from the Town Hall to the Sept 11 memorial in Pagenstecher Park for a wreath laying service.  Refreshments will be served immediately following at the Presbyterian Church.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed a reimbursement request from Tom Tucker for tires that were damaged by a piece of metal protruding from the curb on the corner of Main St. and Maple St.  The Board tabled the request to give Atty Avigdor time for review.

Resolution #35 approved, resignation of Dianne Hull from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Resolution #36 approved, mayoral signature on contract with Jettner & Sickler, Records Management Consultants.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved publication of request for bids from microfilming companies to be published in the Glens Falls Post Star.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #37 approved, resignation of Bldg Insp Andy Neville as of 8/25/06 with appreciation for his years of service.

Resolution #38 approved, hiring Andy Neville on a part-time basis after 8/25/06.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication of notice of Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer vacancy.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Adrienne Hull asked if the Village has received a letter from Philmet stating that they are not going to pursue a trash industry in this community.  Trustee Lescault, Mayor Winslow and Atty Avigdor recalled a verbal statement by Philmet that no municipal solid waste would be imported, but the Board is not aware of a letter stating they would not pursue trash industry.  Mayor Winslow offered to research the question for the next meeting.  Ms. Hull also asked if any letters were received from politicians about the veteran’s facility proposed by Barbara Weatherwax.  Mayor Winslow read letters in his possession from politicians that offer contact information for the project; the letters were neither supportive nor unsupportive.  Copies of the letters are available at the Village Hall.   Ms. Hull asked if any other agencies are actively working to develop the property.  Atty Avigdor stated the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation has some responsibility for finding potential users of the site; certain other government agencies would be involved depending on the type of facility proposed.

Barbara Weatherwax informed the Board that she has an appointment to see George Basher, Director of Veterans Affairs for New York State regarding her proposal, she will report on the result.  Ms. Weatherwax also pointed out that her concept is not a hospital; rehabilitation funding is available from different departments than hospital funding.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Lescault asked Treas Fuller a question regarding the appropriations ledger, Treas Fuller explained.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved adjournment to executive session to discuss a litigation matter as requested by Atty Avigdor, 7:10 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 7:24 PM the Board reconvened.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore that Board adjourn, 7:25 PM.

 

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk