Village Board Minutes

April 1, 2015 (42)

A public hearing & regular meeting of the Village Board were held April 1, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

Mayor Morreale called the meeting to order & led the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Morreale then asked for a moment of silence in memory of Ray Bush, member of the Fire Department for 57 years, past Fire Chief, and Saratoga County Fire Inspector.  Mr. Bush was very active in his community and was regularly in attendance at both Village and Town Board meetings.

Roll Call: Trustee Denno and Trustee Enekes were present.  Trustee Saunders was excused and Trustee Halliday arrived late.

A public hearing having been duly advertised in the Post Star on March 26, 2015 was held April 1, 2015 at 6:03 PM in order to consider the proposed 2015/2016 Village budget.  Mayor Morreale read the notice as published.

Clerk/Treas Colson explained the proposed budget in detail.  The proposed tax rate is $5.49 per thousand, no change from the 2014/2015 year.  Water rents are projected to increase by $12 per year for inside the Village residents, and by $16 per year for outside users.  Sewer rents are projected to increase by $4 per year for inside the Village users and $8 per year for outside users.  Major purchases considered in this budget include a $240,000 contribution to the Fire Department reserves in anticipation of the purchase of a new fire apparatus, $155,000 to install a new fueling station at the DPW garage with above-ground fuel tanks, $150,000 for a new sidewalk plow, and a $59,000 payment from the water fund for the short-term bond for the water filtration project.

Trustee Halliday arrived at 6:08 PM.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

With no comments from the public, Mayor Morreale closed the public hearing, 6:21 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 1, 2015 at 6:21 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved minutes of regular meeting March 18, 2015 as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Matt Rogers, Rogers Planning, updated the Board on the progress of the Reservoir Recreational Master Plan.  The reservoir property is 473 acres of land located in the Town of Corinth, it was purchased as a water source, but is no longer the primary water source for the Village.  A Committee has been exploring ways to enhance the recreational aspects of the property.  The DEC stocks the reservoirs with brook trout and the Committee is proposing improving stream crossings to enhance a network of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking and cross-country skiing.  The Committee requested funding from the Village for trail markers, a porto-john, picnic tables and grills.

CORRESPONDENCE

Ben Kemp, of Liberty Street, emailed the Board asking to join the Reservoir Committee, the Board agreed.

Cheri Bovee, Main Street, submitted a letter requesting Village Board action regarding her subdivision on Main Street.  The property is in the Town, but the Town refuses to establish a sewer district which would allow her to subdivide and develop the property.  The Board will consider the request under New Business.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS) – none.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 4/1/15 read & filed.

The Board discussed changing the current Board meeting schedule and decided that the new official year (starting Monday, April 6) will have regular Board meetings held the first and third Monday of the month instead of Wednesdays; the one exception is the second regular meeting this April will be held Monday, April 13.  Any meeting that would normally fall on a Monday holiday will take place the Wednesday of that week.  This change will accommodate Board members who need to travel for work.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved payment of Abstract #20: Payroll $28,081.81; General $29,931.24; Water $3,397.74; Sewer $5,045.61; and Capital Reserves $2,495.00.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #77 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for March 2015 read & filed.

Chief Kelley stated the Fire Department was mourning the loss of Ray Bush, firefighter with 57 years of service.  Over 100 representatives from other fire departments came to the services to honor Ray’s memory.  The Firemen’s Association will be honoring Ray at the Old Timer’s night April 11^th.  Chief Kelley encouraged the Board to attend.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Berg was present, report for 4/1/15 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

No decisions have been made regarding the vacant positions at DPW.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved publication in the Post Star of a public hearing to be held Monday, April 13, 2015 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse to consider adoption of the revised Comprehensive Master Plan.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Denno, approved attendance by Mayor Morreale at NYCOM Annual Meeting May 3- May 5 in Saratoga, $275.
Carried – 3 – 0

The Board tabled decision on an addendum to the LA Group contract for implementation of the Comprehensive Master Plan.

Resolution #78 approved, change order #1 for the Pine Street project, a $2,000 contract price increase for Tom Kubricky Company.

The Board discussed sending surveys to Village residents regarding the potential for natural gas through National Grid.  A survey would be necessary to demonstrate participation in order for National Grid to move forward.

Resolution #79 approved, Laberge proposal to submit CDBG application for $6,400.

The Board discussed the letter from Ms. Bovee regarding water & sewer connection on Main Street and expressed their disappointment that the Town is unwilling to create the appropriate districts that would allow this development.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Halliday, instructed Atty Buettner to produce the necessary water & sewer user agreements with Cheri Bovee for the 517 Main Street development if the Town fails to create the necessary districts.
Carried 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Murray commented on the need for the Town and Village to work together to grow the community.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Mayor Morreale reiterated his sympathies for the family of Ray Bush & that they are in our thoughts.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Denno, that Board adjourn, 7:34 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer