Village Board Minutes

May 2, 2007 (89)

A regular meeting of the Village Board and bid opening were held May 2, 2007, 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

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

Mayor Winslow announced that the scheduled public hearing was postponed due to a technical defect in the published notice of public hearing.  The public hearing re: proposed zoning amendments will be rescheduled for Wednesday, May 16, 2007 in the Corinth High School Auditorium.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved publication in the Post Star of notice of public hearing to be held May 16, 2007 at 6:00 PM in the CHS auditorium.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno approved the minutes of reg meeting April 18, 2007 and special meeting April 25, 2007 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

BID OPENING RE: 1991 CHEVROLET PICK-UP

Six (6) sealed bids were opened and read as follows:
            Frank Clancy, 27 Saratoga Ave :  $927.00
            Dave Smith :  $625.25
            Terry Hamilton, 26 Darwin Rd. Cambridge :  $877.85
            Ralph Morber :  $575.00
            Joe Stroud :  $1,011.00
            Edwin Wright, 270 Wilton Mt Rd :  $1,020.00

Resolution # 157 approved, awarded 1991 Chevy pick-up to high bidder Edwin Wright for $1,020.00.

BID OPENING RE: TREE CARE CONTRACT

One (1) sealed bid was opened and read as follows:

            Jim Hunt, Tree Care by Stan Hunt            Trimming of 89 crabapple trees, $3,840; Trimming of 6 Norway Maples & 1 Locust tree, $640; Root fertilization of 150 trees, $1,500

Resolution #158 approved, awarded bid for tree trimming to Tree Care by Stan Hunt for the bid of $3,840 & $640.

The Board decided not to fertilize the trees this year.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK – Clerk Colson was present, report for 5/2/07 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Denno approved publication in the Pennysaver News of the Village Code pertaining to the “Leash Law”.  
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board asked Supt Lozier to re-open Pagenstecher Park as soon as the spring clean-up is completed.  Supt Lozier stated it should be open by the end of next week.

TREASURER – Treas Fuller was present, report for 5/2/07 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved payment of abstract #23:  Payroll $44,644.50; General $72,135.09; Water $9,558.40; and Sewer $13,602.13.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #159 approved, budget transfers.

Resolution #160 approved, adoption of the 2007/2008 budget.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for April 2007 read & filed.

POLICE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kane was present, report for 4/25/07 – 5/1/07 read & filed.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for April 2007 was read & filed.

The DPW is working on the spring clean up, leaf & brush pick up will begin 5/7/07.

The building at Jessup’s Landing Community Park has been demolished and removed.  The area is clear for use.

The new water line at the Catholic Church parish hall has been completed.

The Board agreed to allow the DPW begin 10 hour days on May 21, 2007.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon present, report for 4/18/07 – 5/2/07 read & filed.

Insp Jacon has asked Stewart’s for a copy of the report from DEC regarding the replaced tanks at the store on the corner of Palmer Ave.  All soil contamination has been removed and will be continuously inspected.

ATTORNEY – Atty Avigdor was present, report for 5/2/07 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

The proposed outdoor wood boiler regulations, nuisance law & fence law were tabled for further review by the Board.

Resolution #161 approved, credit is approved for Planning Board & ZBA members for classes and online courses offered by the APA, NYS Dept of State, Saratoga Cty Planning Board, and the NY Planning Federation pertaining to land use topics.

Resolution #162 approved, attendance at the NYCOM Annual Meeting & Training session for Board members that wish to attend at the cost of $230 per person.

Mayor Winslow requested an executive session to discuss a matter which would imperil the public safety if disclosed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by the mayor for reasons stated above, 6:40 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 7:03 PM the Board reconvened.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board is considering abolishing the Village Police Dept as a cost savings measure, the decision does not reflect upon the department or its officers.  The proposed contract with the Sheriff’s Dept offers a Deputy in the Village 24 hours a day seven days a week.  Mayor Winslow welcomed Sheriff Bowen and asked if he would like to comment.

Sheriff Bowen stated that the three full time officers of the Village police will be offered jobs with the Sheriff’s Dept upon passing a physical and that their past service would be credited toward their retirement.

Resolution #163 approved, authorized the mayor to sign a contract with the Sheriff’s Dept in the amount of $298,800 per year for a three year term to provide the Village with police coverage effective June 1, 2007.

Sheriff Bowen stated that the Saratoga County Public Safety Cmte needs to approve the contract before it is finalized.

Atty Avigdor stated that the abolishment of the Village police department would require the passage of a local law which would repeal Chapter 32 of the Village Code outlining the administration of the police department.  This local law would be subject to permissive referendum, if twenty percent of the registered voters in the Village submit a petition in the proper format within 30 days of the passing of the local law a special vote would be held.  If no petition is submitted the local law would go into effect 30 days after it was passed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes approved publication in the Post Star of notice of a public hearing re: abolishing the village police department to be held Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 6:00 PM in the Corinth High School auditorium.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Rena Bernstein, 32 West Mountain Rd., questioned why abolishment of the police department was being considered.  Mayor Winslow explained the cost savings involved.

Mitch Saunders asked if the proposed zoning law amendments conflicted with the agreements with Philmet.  Atty Avigdor stated that there would most likely be a technical amendment to grandfather Philmet’s project once the project is more specifically outlined.  This would allow Philmet to use site plan review instead of a special use permit.

Bob Hudak asked if the Board had received the memo from Gov. Spitzer’s office regarding consolidating services and enhancing local government efficiency.  The Board has received it and there are committees working on these issues.

Tim Hanchett asked how large of a gasification plant could be built by Philmet.  Atty Avigdor answered that any application would be evaluated for approval and would not be permitted if deemed inappropriate.

Kate Halliday asked who the members of the Village services committee were.  Mayor Winslow answered that the Village Services Review Cmte is Trustee Lescault, Treas Fuller and himself; the Intermunicipal Shared Services Cmte is Trustee Denno and himself.

Ray Bush asked about water drainage problems on Pine Street, water is flooding basements.  The Board was unaware of any problem other than the Shattuck’s on Pine Street.  Mr. Bush referred to an engineering report from the Pine Street sewer line project.  The Board will look into the matter.

Rena Bernstein stated that the Board should evaluate the environmental impact of any building proposal before a plan is proposed.  Atty Avigdor explained that to do so would be cost prohibitive since it would entail reviewing all possibilities.

Tim Hanchett asked if public comment on the proposed zoning would be moot due to the Philmet agreements.  Atty Avigdor assured Mr. Hanchett that the agreements do not depend on anything in the proposed zoning law other than considering in good faith the possibility of grandfathering a proposed project.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno stated that the decisions being made regarding the police department were purely financial and that she was grateful to the Sheriff’s Dept for offering jobs to the full time officers.  This was echoed by Trustee Densmore.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore that Board adjourn, 7:45 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk