Village Board Minutes

November 7, 2007 (39)

A public hearing of the Village Board was held November 7, 2007, 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Deputy Mayor Denno called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Deputy Mayor Denno requested a moment of silence to honor Tom Tucker a longtime village employee and 40-year member of the fire department who passed away October 11, 2007. 

Roll Call: Trustees Denno, Densmore & Lescault were present.  Trustee Enekes & Mayor Winslow were excused.

Deputy Mayor Denno opened the public hearing and read the public notice as advertised in the Post Star on October 31, 2007 re: proposed loitering law.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

The following residents and business owners spoke in favor of the proposed loitering law citing reasons such as harassment of owners & customers by loiterers downtown and vandalism to property.
            John Yannaci, Downtown Merchants Association
            Jim Murray, Center St
            Sher Millis, Main St resident & owner of Studio Store
            Diane Densmore, Woodworks Furniture Gallery

Ed Byrnes, Town resident and member of Merchants Association, spoke in support of the proposed law but asked that the law be modified to further protect individual’s rights if necessary.

Bob Hudak, Ash St, and Christopher Schuh, Town resident, spoke against the proposed law stating that the law is unconstitutional and leaves determining what purposes are legitimate to the discretion of law enforcement.  Both residents expressed concerns that the Village could be subject to litigation based upon this law and recommended pursuing civil remedies and enforcing current laws to curtail the problems downtown.

With no further comment from the public, Deputy Mayor Denno closed the public hearing at 6:15 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk

 

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held November 7, 2007, 6:15 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved minutes of regular meeting Oct 17, 2007 and special meeting Oct 23, 2007 as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

Decision on the proposed loitering law was tabled for further review by the Board.

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Michael N’dolo, Camoin Associates, spoke regarding strategic planning grants.  The Local Waterfront Revitalization Program grant requires a 50% match and has no limit on funding requests.  This grant could be used to assist Philmet in completing a master site plan and generic environmental impact statement (GEIS) for the former mill property.  Philmet would provide the money for the required grant match. John D’Alessandro, Philmet representative, stated that Philmet is reviewing the information; Camoin must be notified by Monday to apply.  Atty Avigdor questioned the usage of the GEIS.  Mr. N’dolo stated that the GEIS is not a final environmental study, it sets thresholds and parameters of what would be allowed at the site to speed up the planning approval process.  Chris Schuh, Town resident, expressed his concern with public funds being used for private development.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK – Clerk Colson was present, report for 11/7/07 read & filed.

Resolution #54 approved adjustment to water/sewer rolls.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication in the Post Star of legal notice of Annual HUD reports availability.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved publication in the Post Star of notice designating offices to be filled in the March election and the terms thereof.
Carried – 3 – 0

Clerk Colson informed the Board of a donation from Louis Faraone to fix the lamp behind the library, a letter of thanks will be sent.

The week of Thanksgiving, recyclables will be picked up on Friday and garbage will be picked up on Saturday.

DPW will begin keeping a log of inspections of the playground equipment at Pagenstecher Park as recommended by Selective Insurance.

TREASURER – Treas Fuller was present, report for 11/7/07 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved payment of abstract #12: Payroll $29,015.23; General $92,118.81; Water $5,120.51; Sewer $10,799.58; Community Development $52,119.78; and Reserves $46,320.15.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #55 approved mayoral signature on Penflex service fee agreement for $2,300.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for 11/7/07 read & filed.

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

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon was present, report for 10/18/07 – 11/07/07 was read & filed.

ATTORNEY – Atty Avigdor was present, report for 11/7/07 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

Resolution #56 approved designating the Mayor as the authorized representative concerning the Dam Safety Project.

NEW BUSINESS

Clerk Colson distributed information regarding fees associated with listing items for sale on eBay.  The Board tabled the issue for review.

Resolution #57 approved filing APA permit for Dam Safety Project with County Clerk for $73.00

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Dr. Starr thanked Supt Lozier for the work the DPW did on the roads around the school – it went very smoothly.

Mitch Saunders thanked Supt Lozier for his assistance with cone placement around tree removal done by Mr. Saunders.

Robert Keller, Rte 9N, distributed information to the Board and asked the Board to make a motion amending meeting minutes of 10/17/07.  Deputy Denno stated the information would be shared with the other two Board members and his request considered.  Clerk Colson pointed out that the minutes are only a summary of the meetings.

Mike Vasquez, Rte 9N, referred to Undersheriff Woodcock’s investigation of his petition & stated the Undersheriff only contacted 30 of the 300 people on the petition.  Deputy Mayor Denno instructed Mr. Vasquez to address his concerns with the Sheriff’s Department.

Bob Hudak, Ash St, inquired if an appraisal was done on the West Mt Reservoir property.  Deputy Mayor Denno stated it was, but any plans to sell the property are on hold due to potential changes in the water system.  Mr. Hudak also asked the status of the problems with visibility at the Rite Aid fence.  The problem is being addressed with the owners of the Rite Aid property.

Bill Sowers, Rte 9, addressed the Board regarding problems he is having with the Sheriff’s Dept.  Deputy Mayor Denno stated those issues would need to be addressed by the Sheriff.

Gerald Costantino, Jenna Brooks, and Mr. York, residents of the Main St and Eggleston St area, addressed the Board regarding their ongoing problems with rusty water.  Supt Lozier explained that the problem is the 4” main that the homes are connected to.  The Village Board and Supt Lozier are exploring temporary solutions such as filters, until a more permanent solution is reached between the Village Board and Town Board.  Although there are iron and rust deposits, the water is not unsafe.  Deputy Mayor Denno stated she hoped the Board would have a temporary solution by the next meeting and thanked the residents for their continued patience.  The residents asked about reimbursement for damages caused by the rusty water, Atty Avigdor suggested any requests be sent to the Village Clerk to be submitted to the insurance company.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore that board adjourn, 7:16 PM.         
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk