Village Board Minutes

September 14, 2011 (14)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held September 14, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

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

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Densmore, approved minutes of regularly scheduled meeting August 17, 2011 and special meeting August 24, 2011 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Mayor Winslow recognized that this meeting was the last to be attended by Atty Martin Auffredou.  The Board thanked Atty Auffredou for his years of service to the Village and wished him well in his new position with Warren County.  Atty Auffredou thanked the Board and introduced Atty Stefanie DiLallo Bitter from Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes.  Atty Bitter will be handling much of Bartlett Pontiff’s municipal work going forward and has previously attended the Village’s Planning Board meetings on behalf of the firm.  Mayor Winslow requested an executive session following the meeting to discuss the employment history of a particular person or corporation.

WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for August 2011 read and filed.

Supt Lozier notified the Board that the WWTP failed a fecal coliform test, most likely due to the storm runoff, which will be noted by the DEC with no fine.  The chlorine levels have been adjusted to correct the problem.

The Dept of Health in Glens Falls has approved the design of the water filtration plant, the DOH in Troy has asked that we either design the system for “peak flow” or build a new larger capacity water storage tank.  The system plans were originally designed for “average flow” capacity.  Supt Lozier suggested we redesign the plant to meet peak flow rather than install a new storage tank.  The redesigned plant will require a slightly larger footprint to accommodate larger pumps and an office and bathroom.

Resolution #15 approved, authorize mayoral signature on a CT Male proposal for redesigned blueprints at the cost of $50,000.

Supt Lozier has visited the Wood Road property and encroachments remain on the property.  Atty Auffredou stated he will discuss with Atty Bitter and recommended the Board address action at the next Board meeting.

At 6:20 PM Supt Lozier was excused.

ATTORNEY – Atty Auffredou & Atty Bitter were present, report for 9/7/11 read & filed.

Atty Auffredou submitted an amendment to the Village Code regarding the number of Zoning Board members and suggested the Board consider language to allow for alternate members.  The Board asked Atty Bitter to prepare an amendment with alternate members.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault, approved publication in the Post Star of a public hearing to be held October 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue to discuss proposed Local Law 4 of 2011, an amendment of the Zoning Code to reduce the number of members of the ZBA and allow for alternate members.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Denno, approved publication in the Post Star of a public hearing to be held October 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue to discuss proposed Local Law 5 of 2011, a proposed nuisance abatement law.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved adoption of new building permit fee schedule as presented by Insp Jacon on 8/24/11 effective 9/14/11.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed the Town Ambulance Service’s use of the former DPW building.  Mayor Winslow stated the Town is having difficulty finding a permanent home for the service and asked the Board to consider extending the agreement to use the DPW building.  Supt Emery stated he would be able to find another location for winter storage of DPW equipment.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Densmore, approved extension of intermunicipal agreement with the Town of Corinth to allow use of the former DPW building until October 31, 2012.
Carried – 4 – 0

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 9/14/11 read & filed.

Resolution #16 approved, adjustments to water/sewer rolls.

Motion by Trustee Densmore, seconded by Trustee Lescault, approved attendance at NYCOM training in Saratoga for Clerk/Treas Colson and Deputy Clerk/Treas Lissow Sept 19-22 at a total cost of $440.
Carried - 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Lescault, approved payment of abstract #6: Payroll $30,784.64; General $109,654.99; Water $6,723.69; Sewer $11,806.97 and Capital reserve $7,106.30.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #17 approved, budget transfers.

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

Chief Kelley reported that the fire department had been very busy with the recent storms and had aided Schoharie County with their recovery efforts.

DPW – Supt Emery was present, report for August 2011 read & filed.

Supt Emery stated the DPW was able to use millings from Oak Street repaving to complete the road in to the reservoir property with no materials purchased.

Supt Emery is obtaining a proposal for logging wood behind the DPW garage to reclaim some snow storage area, and logging of a few larger trees at the reservoir property.  The Village should recoup a profit from the logging.

Trustee Enekes asked Supt Emery to make sure the crosswalks at the intersection of Walnut & Main St were properly marked “no parking” for 20 feet.  Supt Emery will ensure the curbs are marked accordingly.

The Board thanked the DPW and the Fire Department for their response during the recent tropical storm Irene.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Jacon was present, report for 9/14/11 read & filed.

The code enforcement action against Mr. McArthur for his Walnut St property was addressed in court on 9/6/11 and a trial date of 10/4/11 was set.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board directed Clerk/Treas Colson to send a letter to Tirzah Montanye thanking her for the beautiful display of American flags on the Oak St school hill for the 9-11 memorial.  Ms. Montanye displayed flags to memorialize the lives lost in the terrorist attacks in a “9-11” pattern.

Resolution #18 approved, declaration of Village of Corinth as lead agency for SEQRA purposes and negative impact declaration in the lower reservoir dam remediation project as described on the environmental short form.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Bob Hudak had questions regarding the tax status of the credit union, the water fund balance and removal of trees at the DPW garage.  Mr. Hudak also stated his opinion that the Board should have called for vote regarding dissolution.  Mr. Hudak asked if someone was paying for the watering of the vacant lots downtown, Mayor Winslow stated an adjacent property owner was paying an additional charge for the watering.

Jim Murray stated he appreciated the improved appearance of the vacant lots downtown.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno commented that the property owners of the vacant lots downtown should be approached about paying a share of the watering fee.

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes that Board adjourn to executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular person or corporation as requested by Mayor Winslow, 7:25 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 7:36PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

The Board decided to cancel the regularly scheduled meeting for Sept 21, 2011 due to the lack of a quorum.  A special meeting was scheduled for Sept 19, 2011 at 6:00 PM in the Village Hall.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Lescault, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that Board adjourn, 7:37PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer