Village Board Minutes

April 5, 2017 (48)

A public hearing and regular meeting of the Village Board were held April 5, 2017 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Morreale called the meeting to order & led the Pledge of Allegiance.

A public hearing having been duly advertised in the Post Star on March 24, 2017 was held at 6:00 PM to present the proposed 2017/2018 budget.

Clerk/Treas Colson presented the proposed budget which includes a general tax rate of $4.95 per thousand (a $0.54 decrease), a water rate increase of $6 per year and a sewer rate increase of $21 per year.  The general fund budget calls for the purchase of a front end loader for the DPW, changes/security upgrades to the first floor of the Village Hall, replacement/upgrade of the fire department & public boat dock, and the elimination of the special protection contract with the Sheriff’s Department.  General fund budget calls for a $59,547 decrease in spending.  Due to the reduction in expenses, the general fund budget does not require an appropriation of fund balance.  Increases to the water fund budget were mitigated by a decrease in proposed contribution to water equipment reserves resulting in an $8,566 increase in expenses.  Sewer fund expenses include the purchase of an SUV and a V-plow for the sewer department pick-up truck resulting in a $24,736 increase in expenses.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Enekes stated increased infrastructure costs were a significant factor in the decision to eliminate the special protection contract from the proposed budget.

Trustee Kelly stated that all future financial needs were taken into consideration in the preparation of the budget.

Mayor Morreale stated the Saratoga County Sheriff Department will still be providing coverage to the Village, just not a dedicated patrol. 

Trustee Denno reiterated her concerns with losing the assistance with the EMS, increased drug activity, longer response times and loss of “goodwill” activities currently provided if the special protection contract is discontinued.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Josh Halliday, Kate Halliday, Brian Testani, and Derek Briner spoke in favor of keeping the special protection contract.  Fire Chief Kelley also expressed his concern with response times being affected if the protection contract is eliminated.

Matt Fogerty, Director of Corinth EMS, discussed the Sheriff Department’s ability to assist the EMS with potentially dangerous situations at scenes they are called to.  Mr. Fogerty also stressed the importance of the Deputy’s ability to administer Narcan to overdose patients and their ability to use the AED.  Mr. Fogerty expressed concern that eliminating the special protection contract would impact these activities.

Christopher Granger had questions regarding the EMS, water/sewer project, and stated there are usually multiple deputies in the Village.

At 7:25 PM, with no further comment from the public, Mayor Morreale closed the public hearing.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

Motion by Mayor Morreale, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that the 2017/2018 tax rate be set at $4.95 per thousand.
Carried – 3 – 1
Trustee Melanie Denno – nay                Trustee Julius Enekes – aye

Trustee Maureen Kelly – aye                Mayor Dennis Morreale – aye

Due to the establishment of a $4.95/thousand tax rate no property tax cap override is necessary, which led the Board to cancel the public hearing on Local Law 2-2017: Override of Property Tax Cap.

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held at 7:26 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved minutes of March 15, 2017 regular meeting and March 23, 2017 special meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0 – Trustee Denno abstained

CORRESPONDENCE

NYS Homes and Community Renewal notified the Village they were awarded $420,000 in HOME grant funding to continue the home improvement grant.

Remi & Diana Marcotte contacted the Mayor regarding a trellis and bench damaged by the Village sidewalk plow. 

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, authorized DPW to repair damage at 351 Main Street with a written agreement from the homeowners to move the damaged items farther from the sidewalk.
Carried – 3 – 0

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 4/5/17 read & filed.

Resolution #99 approved, adjustment to water/sewer rolls.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved payment of abstract #20: Payroll $30,777.73; General $58,253.98; Water $5,173.77; Sewer $70,659.51; Community Development $2,200; and Capital Reserves $1,000.00.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #100 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for March 2017 read & filed.

Trustee Denno asked for a breakdown of last year’s call location.  Chief Kelley stated 39% of the calls were in the Town, 31% were in the Village and 30% were mutual aid calls.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for March 2017 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved publication in the Pennysaver of the leaf & brush pick up scheduled for April 17 – May 22 and hydrant flushing May 1 – May 4.
Carried – 3 – 0

DPW will be replacing the main sewer line which runs under White’s parking lot; the Village has an easement for access to the line.

Mayor Morreale asked why River St overflow was recently dumped into the Pine St manhole and not at the plant.  Supt Lozier stated it was to avoid overwhelming the system.

Clerk-Treas Colson passed on numerous resident compliments on clean-up from the last major snowfall.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Berg was present, report for 4/5/17 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Denno, approved mayor’s attendance at the NYCOM training in Saratoga Springs, May 7-9; $275.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Enekes, approved publication in the Pennysaver of the annual mayor’s letter to the residents.
Carried – 3 – 0

Laberge Group has identified several areas of the waste water treatment collection system that are in need of improvement and possibly eligible for grant money including replacement of the River St pump station forcemain, replacement of the WWTP trunkline and installation of a water main for the new WWTP.

Resolution #101 approved, mayoral signature on engineering proposal from Laberge for additional sanitary sewer improvement, $11,200.

Resolution #102 approved, mayoral signature on grant writing proposal from Laberge to secure $1,000,000 grant for wastewater sewer main replacement, $6,800.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Josh Halliday thanked the Board for listening to the public’s comments on the special protection contract, but felt establishing a tax rate was ill-advised at this point.

Kate Halliday asked if another meeting with Town and Village Boards was scheduled.  The Village would be open to scheduling another meeting.

Michael McKelligott asked if street improvements will be completed by the Bicentennial, they will.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Mayor Morreale welcomed back Trustee Denno, the other Board members echoed the welcome.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Atty Buettner requested an executive session to discuss Article 7 litigation.

At 8:02 PM Trustee Denno was excused.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by Atty Buettner above, 8:02 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

At 8:06 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Resolution #103 approved, accepting settlement with Juljon Properties for reduction of assessment.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Kelly, that Board adjourn, 8:07 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer