Village Board Minutes

March 2, 2011 (41)

A public hearing of the Village Board was held March 2, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Jim Thatcher led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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

Mayor Winslow opened the public hearing re: 2011 HOME Grant application, and read the notice as published in the Post Star on February 16, 2011.

Jim Thatcher of Avalon Associates addressed the Board and public about the HOME grant program.  The HOME program offers low to moderate-income homeowners the opportunity to make significant repairs to their owner occupied homes.  Most repairs address code violations, safety issues, and energy efficiency concerns. The Village’s HOME program has assisted approximately 35-40 homeowners since 2007.  The Village is interested in applying for additional funds through the HOME program; the Village’s program currently has a waiting list of homeowners interested in using the funds.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

With no comments from the public, Mayor Winslow closed the public hearing at 6:10 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held March 2, 2011 at 6:10 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved minutes of regular meeting February 3, 2011 and emergency joint meeting February 8, 2011 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #47 approved, the Mayor is authorized to sign and submit an application for 2011 HOME grant funding.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Mayor read the January 2011 report from the Saratoga County Sheriff.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 3/2/11 read & filed.

Resolution #48 approved, adjustments to water/sewer rolls.

The Board discussed a request by the Corinth Emergency Squad to continue using fuel at the Village garage and reimburse the Village per the previously existing arrangement with the Village.  The Board agreed to continue the access to the fuel for the time being, but requested a member of the Emergency Squad come to the March 16 Board meeting to discuss their future plans for providing services to Corinth.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved payment of abstract #17: Payroll $30,006.24; General $63,018.16; Water $4,515.08; Sewer $12,556.42; Community Development $932.10; and Capital Reserves $4,000.00 and payment of abstract #18: Payroll $29,743.82; General $188,585.88; Water $3,721.15; and Sewer $3,773.02.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #49 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was excused.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for February 2011 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Denno approved attendance by Supt Lozier at a water seminar in Saratoga Springs April 13 & April 14 at the cost of $70.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #50 approved, hiring of Robert Crist as a part-time laborer on an on-call basis at $9.25 per hour.

Supt Lozier discussed his study of traffic at the Second Street hill.  Supt Lozier suggested, due to visibility issues, that the section of Second Street between Oak Street and Palmer Ave be a one-way street.  The Board agreed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault approved publication in the Post Star of notice of public hearing re: one-way traffic on Second Street from Oak Street to Palmer Ave, to be held on Wednesday April 6 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.
Carried – 4 – 0

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon was present, report for 3/2/11 read & filed.

Insp Jacon suggested demolition permits for the Village to ensure that any demolition is properly performed and inspected.  Insp Jacon and Atty Auffredou will investigate options and report their findings to the Board.

ATTORNEY – Atty Auffredou was present, report for 3/2/11 read & filed.

The Planning Board has approved a site plan for 429 Palmer Ave, the Village Café and Tavern.

OLD BUSINESS

No update available on GWUDI.

Supt Lozier requested the Board wait until spring to make any decisions about the Wood Road property so that he can accurately mark the water lines once the snow melts.  The Board also directed Atty Auffredou to send letters to the adjoining property owners requesting the removal of encroachments on the property.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion of the Nuisance Abatement Law was tabled.

Resolution #51 approved, hiring of Eugene Joubert as part-time substitute crossing guard at $11.00 per hour.

Mayor Winslow read a letter submitted by Rebecca Fasulo, Chair of the Planning Board, resigning her position as of June 1.  The Board requested the Clerk/Treas send a letter to Ms. Fasulo thanking her for over 10 years of service to the Village on the Planning Board.  The Board will seek a replacement Planning Board member and consider a new Chairperson.

Resolution #52 approved, award of dozer bid to Nortrax for $48,970 to be split with the Town of Corinth.

Resolution #53 approved, authorize mayor to enter into agreement with Town of Corinth to provide ambulance services within the Village contingent upon confirmation by the Department of Health that the Village has received the necessary certificate of need.

The Board discussed a second intermunicipal agreement with the Town regarding the use of portions of the former DPW garage to house the paramedics and ambulance for sixty days, the agreement can be extended as needed.  All utilities will be paid by the Town there will be no expense to the Village.

Resolution #54 approved, authorize mayor to enter into an agreement with the Town of Corinth regarding use of the former DPW/Police Station for a 60-day period, subject to extension.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Densmore authorized Clerk-Treasurer Colson to sign a letter consenting to naming Corinth Central School as lead agency for SEQRA purposes for the proposed new bus garage to be built in the Town of Corinth.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Ed Byrnes, President of the Corinth Merchants Association, thanked the Village for their contribution to help pay for the business locator maps published by the CMA.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Lescault expressed her concern with residents leaving their garbage containers in the streets for extended periods of time.  These residents are in violation of Section 119-10 of the Village Code prohibiting encumbering the streets and sidewalks.  Trustee Lescault would like more enforcement of these violations.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore that Board adjourn to workshop meeting, 7:15 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 7:25 PM the Board convened a workshop meeting to discuss the Shared Services/Dissolution Committee’s recommendation.  All Board members were present; Atty Auffredou, Clerk-Treas Colson, Supt Lozier, Committee Chairperson Tim Murphy and Michael N’dolo of Camoin Associates were also present.

Michael N’dolo of Camoin Associates briefly outlined the results of the Shared Services/Dissolution Study for the Board of Trustees.  Mr. D’dolo stated there were several areas of uncertainty remaining after the Committee’s discussions.  One area of uncertainty was whether the State of New York would be able to provide the promised $400,000 AIM funding given the financial condition of New York State.  Another uncertainty was the potential outcome of the current EPCOR tax agreement.  The Town may be required to litigate for the remaining payments that would be due the Village if the Village were to dissolve.  There was also some question as to whether a Fire Protection District or a Fire District would be established.  A Fire District would require a Board of Commissioners, support staff and would not be governed by the Town government.  Another question was whether the Town would fund special police protection from the Sheriff Department for the entire Town.  Currently, the Town would not legally be able to provide the special protection to the former Village without a special act of the NYS Legislature.  Ultimately, dissolution was estimated to save Village residents $145 in taxes and cost a Town resident $48 more in taxes on a $100,000 home if there is no additional AIM funding.  If the State continues the promised AIM funding a savings of $242 for a Village resident and $48 for a Town resident were projected.

Tim Murphy, Committee Chairperson, explained that of the eleven members of the committee that were present at the time the vote was taken, ten voted to not recommend dissolution and not to send the matter to a vote.  One committee member voted not to recommend dissolution, but to send the matter to a public vote.  After the meeting in which the vote was taken, some members of the committee expressed second thoughts about not putting the matter to a vote.

The Board members discussed the items brought forward by the committee.  No decisions were made.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore, that Board adjourn, 8:55 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk/Treasurer