Village Board Minutes

April 18, 2007 (82)

Three public hearings and a regular meeting of the Village Board were held April 18, 2007, 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order & Supt Lozier led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

A Public Hearing having been duly advertised in the Post Star on April 11, 2007 was held April 18, 2007 re: proposed local law relating to fences establishing setbacks, height and materials requirements.

Mayor Winslow opened the public hearing at 6:03 PM and read the legal notice as advertised.

PUBLIC COMMENTS QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

John Fiore spoke opposing the proposed law due to what he felt are unreasonable setback requirements.

Louise Kirkpatrick voiced her support of the proposed law as written.

Joan Rocco stated she felt the requirements were excessive as written because Village properties are small.

Dennis Morreale felt setbacks from the neighbor’s property line should not be required.

Brad Sitts, Bob Hudak and Jim Hopkins stated they were opposed to the law as written.

With no further comments from the public Mayor Winslow closed the public hearing at 6:24 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

A Public Hearing having been duly advertised in the Post Star on April 11, 2007 was held April 18, 2007 re: the proposed 2007/2008 budget.

Mayor Winslow opened the public hearing at 6:24 PM and read the legal notice as advertised.

Treas Fuller presented the proposed budget which would involve a 3% increase to the taxpayer; a $100,000 home would pay $26 more than last year.  Water rents will increase by $4 per year and sewer rents will increase by $20 per year.  Sewer rents are increasing because a new employee will need to be trained for the WWTP.  The actual proposed budget is $36,000 less than last year’s budget, but there has been a reduction in what the power plant pays.  $255,000 will be used out of fund balance to keep the tax increase at 3%, last year $357,000 was used from fund balance.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Adrienne Hull asked Treas Fuller how many years we would be able to take money from the fund balance at the current rate.  Treas Fuller stated we would have 4-5 years assuming expenses and revenues stayed the same.  Ms. Hull also asked for a definition of contractual expenses which are special legal fees, outside contractors, heat, lights, etc.  At the Park & Beach contractual expenses are maintenance, and pumping of the sewer tanks.  Ms. Hull questioned personal services expenses for the planning and zoning boards.  Treas Fuller explained that these expenses are for the secretary salary, part of the building inspector’s salary and the attorney.  Ms. Hull asked & Treas Fuller explained how the employee health insurance is divided in the budget and how the number of sewer hook-ups is calculated.  Ms. Hull asked why county sales tax is going down, Treas Fuller stated that village assessments are going down and other municipalities in the county have assessments going up which increases their share of the sales tax.  Ms. Hull also asked if there are any Village assets that can be sold.  Mayor Winslow informed her that Trustee Densmore was on a committee that evaluated the village owned properties and that option will be considered.

Bob Hudak questioned when budget amendments are made, Treas Fuller explained that amendments are made as necessary throughout the year along with some final adjustments at the end of the budget year.

With no further questions from the public Mayor Winslow closed the public hearing at 6:45 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

A Public Hearing having been duly advertised in the Post Star on April 11, 2007 was held April 18, 2007 re: spending up to $44,000 from the DPW capital reserve equipment fund.

Supt Lozier explained that three vehicles have been removed from service and only one has been replaced, a new truck is necessary.  A larger trailer is necessary to tow the lawn mowers; it will also be used to collect Christmas trees, and numerous other tasks.  A landscaping lawnmower is also needed to keep up with the mowing of village owned properties.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

With no comments from the public Mayor Winslow closed the public hearing at 6:49 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 18, 2007 at 6:49 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved the minutes of budget meeting March 28, ’07, organizational meeting April 2, ’07 and reg meeting April 4, ’07 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board decided to table the proposed fence law for further review.

The proposed budget will be sent to the State for their review.

Resolution #149 approved, to spend up to $44,000 from the DPW capital reserve equipment fund.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK – Clerk Colson was present, report for 4/18/07 read & filed.

Resolution #150 approved, adjustment to water/sewer rolls.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication in the Pennysaver of the hydrant flushing schedule for 4/23 – 4/26.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board agreed to allow the LDC to meet in the Village Hall on Monday, April 23, 2007.

Clerk Colson reminded the Dept heads to notify her if they would like to use JTPA youth workers this summer.

TREASURER – Treas Fuller was present, report for 4/18/07 was read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved payment of abstract # 22: Payroll $52,953.18; General $16,856.60; Water $1,009.07; and Sewer $1,190.84.
Carried – 4 – 0

FIRE DEPT – Chief Kelley was present.

Mayor Winslow congratulated Chief Kelley on his election to fire chief.

John Fiore asked about the signage still on the old firehouse, Chief Kelley explained that the letters are bolted on and must be cut off.  They will be cut off as soon as possible.

POLICE DEPT – Chief Kane was present.

The Dept has applied for two youth workers from the County this summer.

The Dept has applied for an $8,000 grant to purchase defibulators for the police cars, each one of the cars will then have a full medical kit.

Chief Kane commended Sgt Pete Coffman for attending supervisor’s school at the police academy at his own expense.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

The DPW will be removing 5 sections of the fence at Rite Aid and adjusting the slope to improve visibility.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved publication in the Pennysaver of the brush pick-up May 7 – May 21, 2007.
Carried – 4 – 0

Jim Woods, Joan Rocco & John Fiore questioned Supt Lozier about the paving of certain Village Streets.

Jim Hopkins noted that the fence at Rite Aid needs to be painted already.  Supt Lozier stated that the fence will need to be repainted every year due to wear from the salt and snow that pile up against it.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon present.

Insp Jacon attended state mandated classes the week of April 16, 2007.

ATTORNEY – Atty Avigdor was present, report for 4/18/07 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

The Board discussed proposed regulations on outdoor wood boilers (OWB).  Atty Avigdor submitted a draft for the Board’s review.  Dean Seelow, Hamilton Ave, spoke regarding his OWB – he has not received any complaints from neighbors and opposed a ban on OWBs.

Trustee Enekes brought it to the Board’s attention that our current Village code allows the burning of rubbish in small containers; he thinks the Board should look into changing that.

Resolution #151 approved, awarding residential garbage collection contract to County Waste; recyclable collection and dumpster collection contract to Waste Management.

The Board discussed a sample nuisance law from Hudson Falls.  The sample law makes land owners responsible for violations on their property whether they are participating in the activity or not.  It also assigns points for civilly determined violations of criminal law.  Board members, Chief Kane and members of the public discussed in detail how such a law would be enforced and whether such a law is necessary in our community.  No action was taken at this time.

The Board requested that Clerk Colson distribute copies of the sample resolution regarding training requirements for Planning and Zoning Board members to the Planning Board and ZBA for their input.

Mayor Winslow announced that the Saratoga County Planning Board has reviewed the proposed zoning amendments and found no significant impact; Chazen’s SEQRA review also found no environmental impact.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Denno approved publication in the Post Star of a public hearing re: proposed zoning amendments, to be held Wednesday May 2, 2007 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.
Carried – 4 – 0

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed the current snow removal policy.  Supt Lozier will present proposed revisions at the next meeting.

Resolution #152 approved, resolved to petition New York State Governor and Legislature to enact property tax reform to manage excessive property taxation.

PUBLIC COMMENT, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Woods requested that residents be allowed to put larger branches out for brush collection.  The consensus of the Board was that the present size requirements would apply with no exception.

Chief Kane informed the public that the police department receives faxes from the school regarding truant students and returns them to school.  Some members of the department are also trained in school shooting situations.

Joan Rocco asked who to contact regarding a house near hers that is rotting from mold.  Insp Jacon asked her to put a complaint in writing and Dr. Pitkin, the health officer, would investigate.

BOARD QUESTIONS, COMMENTS & CONCERNS

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Denno approved publication in the Pennysaver News of the Village Code regarding the “pooper scooper” law.
Carried – 4 – 0

Mayor Winslow requested executive sessions for a personnel matter and matter of public safety.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno that board adjourn to executive session to discuss matters as requested by Mayor Winslow, 8:15 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Board reconvened at 8:42 PM.

Resolution #153 approved, authorized Mayor to sign agreement presented by the CSEA regarding holiday pay.

Resolution #154 approved, approving holiday pay for members of the police department on the same terms as agreed to with CSEA.

Resolution #155 approved, authorizing payment to Chief Robert Kane, Jr. for accrued vacation and comp time.

The Board scheduled a special meeting of the Board at the firehouse on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 6:00 PM.

Resolution #156 approved, canceled regular meeting scheduled for May 16, 2007 and rescheduled for May 23, 2007.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Enekes that Board adjourn, 9:17 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk