Village Board Minutes

August 3, 2011 (8)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 3, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and Dennis Brobston led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:  Trustee Denno, Trustee Densmore, and Trustee Enekes were present.  Trustee Lescault was excused.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Densmore approved minutes of regular meeting July 6, 2011 and special meeting July 13, 2011 as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Dennis Brobston and Jim Angus of the Saratoga Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) appeared before the Board to present a possible project at the former International Paper mill.  SEDC has been working with Moncada Energy Group on the possible purchase of the IP property.  Moncada Energy Group is based in Italy and San Francisco with operations world-wide.  The company produces solar panels, wind turbines and owns numerous solar, biomass, hydroelectric and wind farms worldwide.  The company is interested in the mill property in order to manufacture solar panels and possibly operate hydroelectric and biomass fueled energy plants.  Mr. Brobston gave an extensive history of the company and their worldwide operations as well as highlighted proposed uses for the mill property.  One consideration in the purchase of the property is the requirement to take responsibility for the landfills located in the Town portion of the property.  The Board members expressed their interest in working with Moncada and IP in order to facilitate bringing development to the property.  The Village will be kept informed about future discussions between SEDC, Moncada and IP.  The Board expressed their willingness to facilitate new development at the mill.  Trustee Denno expressed hopes that the Town and Village could do a proactive review of their laws and regulations to help encourage this project or similar future projects.  Mr. Brobston also answered numerous questions from the public about the property and the pending project.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mayor Winslow read the Sheriff’s Department report for June 2011.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Mayor Winslow introduced Jay Emery as the new DPW Superintendent.  Due to an increase in requirements of overseeing the water and sewer systems, including the requirement that Supt Lozier spend 8 hours a day for six months at the new filtration plant when it is constructed, the Village Board has separated the Water and Sewer Department from the Department of Public Works.  Supt Lozier has agreed to accept the position of Water and Sewer Superintendent.  Jay Emery has accepted the position of DPW Superintendent.  Mayor Winslow congratulated them both on their new positions.

At 6:53 PM Supt Emery was excused.

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 8/3/11 read & filed.

Resolution #11 approved, adjustments to the water/sewer roll.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Densmore, approved payment of abstract #4: Payroll $30,026.49; General $80,585.38; Water $3,781.02; Sewer $7,542.02; Community Development $14,400.00.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #12 approved, budget transfers.

Clerk/Treas Colson informed the Board that the 2009/2010 fiscal year audit had been submitted with no adverse findings.  The Annual Update Document was submitted to the Comptroller’s office on July 29.  Clerk/Treas Colson also informed the Board that the Village forms and applications are available on the website for download as PDF documents.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for July 2011 read & filed.

Chief Kelley informed the Board that the radios on the trucks are being upgraded to the new County-wide standard.  The new system will improve communications across all emergency services.

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

The beach was recently treated for an infestation of bees.

The DOH in Troy has an issue with the size of the pump in the plans for the water filtration plant.  CT Male is addressing the issue with the DOH.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon was present, report for 7/7/11 – 8/3/11 read & filed.

The Board discussed code enforcement action to be taken at 27 Walnut Street.  Bruce Carpenter, resident of Walnut Street, presented a petition signed by fellow residents requesting the Board enforce the code violations at the property.  At a previous meeting the Board authorized Insp Jacon to begin legal proceedings against the owner of the property; they requested that Insp Jacon complete those proceedings.  They also requested that Insp Jacon contact Dr. Pitkin to examine the property, and a property on Main Street, for public health violations. 

ATTORNEY – Atty Auffredou was present, report for 8/3/11 read & filed.

The Planning Board approved the site plan application for Mannell’s on Main Street at their public hearing.  There will be a Planning Board meeting on August 11 to discuss the Hudson River Credit Union site plan and a public hearing held September 1.

Atty Auffredou asked Supt Lozier to check on the Wood Road property and determine if the encumbrances have been removed by the August 8^th deadline.  If they are not removed the Board will need to take action at the next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS

The Board has extensively reviewed the Shared Services/Dissolution Committee report.  Mayor Winslow read a letter to Village residents outlining the Board’s consensus not to pursue dissolution based upon the recommendation of the Shared Services/Dissolution Committee.  The Village will continue to pursue shared services opportunities with surrounding communities.  The Board thanked the committee for their commitment and dedication to the study.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved mayoral signature on an application to the DEC regarding the revised plans for dam remediation at the reservoir property.
Carried – 3 – 0

Mayor Winslow stated the Board has received renewed public support for implementing a Nuisance Abatement Law.  Several residents present at the meeting spoke in favor of instituting a Nuisance Law including Bruce Carpenter, Stan Hoffman, Jim Hopkins and Chris Roe.  The Board directed Atty Auffredou to submit a proposed law for their review.

Mayor Winslow distributed a letter to the Board from the Corinth Playground Committee and asked the Board to consider including an amount in next year’s budget to assist with purchasing a piece of equipment for the playground.

Mayor Winslow asked Chief Kelley for guidance regarding a resident that needs a fire inspection of a group home in the Village.  The State previously conducted the inspections, but is no longer inspecting the home.  Chief Kelley stated the inspection should be done by a fire underwriter and suggested the resident call the Office of Fire Prevention in Albany.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Residents Jim Hopkins, Mitch Saunders and Jim Murray expressed their disappointment with the Board’s decision not to conduct a vote on dissolution.  Resident Ken Carter stated that a vote can be prompted by a petition from registered voters.  Mayor Winslow stated that Mr. Carter was correct and reiterated that the Committee’s initial recommendation was for no vote to be held, many of the Committee members did have second thoughts about that decision, but the Board felt their decision not to dissolve is in the best interest of the Village as a whole.

Kate Halliday expressed her opinion that Supt Lozier did a fine job as DPW Superintendent and questioned the decision to split the department into two.  Mayor Winslow again explained that the separation of the departments was not a demotion for Supt Lozier and that increased duties necessitated the split.  Mayor Winslow also pointed out that money for a second department head had been included in the 2011/2012 budget.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno clarified that the first roll call vote of the Shared Services/Dissolution Committee resulted in a recommendation of no dissolution and no vote.  Town officials then questioned the validity of their numbers; the consultants verified the numbers with Supervisor Lucia.  Trustee Denno felt that the frustration of the Committee led to the change of opinion on holding a vote on dissolution, but that the Committee’s consensus was that dissolution was not the best answer for the Village.  Trustee Denno thanked the Committee for their efforts.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes that Board adjourn, 8:31 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer