Village Board Minutes

June 7, 2017 (1)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held June 7, 2017 at 6:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

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

Roll Call:  Trustee Denno, Trustee Enekes, Trustee Halliday and Trustee Kelly were present.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved minutes of regular meeting May 17, 2017 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Jin Martin, the LA Group, addressed the Board regarding the Comprehensive Master Plan implementation and possible grant opportunities including Local Waterfront Revitalization Program funds that could be used for the public boat docks.  Mr. Martin also spoke of his efforts to interest developers in the vacant Main St parcels as well as his discussions regarding the IP property.

Don Rhodes, Laberge Group, addressed the Board regarding the dock project and answered Board questions regarding the state of the current docks as well as options for bid award.  Mr. Rhodes stated the current docks do not meet Code requirements, but temporary repairs are in place to permit use through the season.  Mr. Rhodes also addressed the issue of increases in project costs if the project is delayed.  Mr. Rhodes continued to update the Board on the progress with the water/sewer project including the proposed replacement of the 4-inch water line on Saratoga Ave with an 8-inch main.  Designs for the new waste water treatment plant were delivered to the Village Hall and Mr. Rhodes will be meeting with the Board to give a formal presentation of the plans.  Replacement of the River St pump station will begin soon.  The contractor is required to secure the site and minimize impact during the Independence Day celebration.

CORRESPONDENCE

Mayor Morreale received a letter from Spencer Hellwig, III the County Administrator regarding the first meeting of the Shared Services Panel.  The Shared Services Panel is a panel of every Town Supervisor, City Mayor and Village Mayor in the County that will offer input on the State mandated County property tax saving plan.  The first meeting is June 14.

The Corinth Town Board issued a letter to the Village Board requesting no parking on the portion of River St in front of the Corinth EMS apparatus bays.  The new ambulance is much larger than the other ambulances and is difficult to maneuver with cars parked on the street.  The Board directed Atty Buettner to work with Supt Lozier to draft a local law prohibiting parking in that area for the Board’s review.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Derek Briner, EMS, encouraged the Board to prohibit parking on River St in front of the EMS building.

Chuck Blair, River St., asked the Board to prohibit parking near the bike path on River St.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk/Treas Colson was present, report for 6/7/17 read & filed.

Clerk/Treas Colson informed the Board that there will be a $250,000 revenue shortfall from the 2016/2017 budget due to a disagreement with Indeck on their final PILOT payment.  Atty Buettner & Clerk/Treas Colson will pursue payment.

The new owner of 97 Main St will allow the Village to use the parking lot for the Independence Day Celebration July 1.  The Board agreed to provide an employee to assist the Image Cmte and a dumpster in the Beach parking lot.

Motion by Trustee Enekes, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved payment of abstract #24: Payroll $40,151.11; General $65,963.39; Water $4,600.63; Sewer $13,585.79; Capital Reserve $500.00; and Community Development $31,687.50.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Denno, approved payment of abstract #1: General $428,398.01; Water $329.35; and Sewer $424.36.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #1 approved, budget transfers.

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

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused, report for May 2017 filed.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Berg was present, report for 6/7/17 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

Resolution #2 approved, award bid for emergency services dock to The Dock Doctors LLC for $32,500.

Trustee Denno had questions pertaining to the NY State Police coverage in the Village, Mayor Morreale stated he would ask Cpt McCarthy to call her.  Trustee Denno also stated she has spoken with the Town Board and they are receptive to meeting to discuss a contract for special police protection.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Halliday, to propose joint meetings with the Town, School, Saratoga County Sheriff, and NYS Troopers to study crime activity in the past, present, and future to determine the need for additional police protection.
Carried – 5 – 0

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #3 approved, hire Austin Tennant as MEO for the DPW at $16 per hour starting 6/19/17.

Resolution #4 approved, acceptance of 2016 HOME grant and authorize mayor to sign all necessary documents.

Resolution #5 approved, contract addendum with Laberge Group for additional survey of IP property; $3,800.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved authorizing Laberge Group to investigate replacement of the water main on Saratoga Avenue and determine if it would be a separate project or a change order to the current W. Mechanic/Raymond St project.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #6 approved, determination that replacement of River St Pump Station force main is a Type II Action and therefore exempt from SEQRA.

The Board discussed the sale of surplus Fire Dept equipment, a 1985 Spartan Gladiator fire truck, to Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company for $15,000.  Bartlett Pontiff attorneys represent both the Village and Bay Ridge, Atty Buettner does not view this as a conflict for the purchase, but if any action were taken against either party Bartlett Pontiff could not represent either party.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Enekes, authorized mayoral signature on a dual representation letter from Bartlett Pontiff for representation in the sale of the fire truck to Bay Ridge.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved finalization of sale of 1985 Spartan Gladiator fire truck to Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company for $15,000.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed the unresolved Nuisance Abatement violation on 612 Palmer Avenue and discussed options for enforcement.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, authorized and directed Atty Buettner to send letter to 612 Palmer Avenue outlining actions that may be taken by the Board of Trustees and give the resident 10 days to respond.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Diana Buehler, Overlook Drive, Allison Clark, W. Mechanic Street, and Derek Briner, Westview Drive, spoke to encourage the Board to work with the Town toward a special protection contract.

Kate Halliday, Main St, requested Insp Berg investigate people living at former Baptist church and people blocking the sidewalk on Main St in front of the former Jack’s Place.

Chuck Blair, River St, requested more limited parking on River St.

Warren Rosenthal, Lake George Land Conservancy, addressed the Board regarding the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid, an invasive insect making its way into the area.  Mr. Rosenthal distributed identifying information of the insect and asked people to inspect area hemlocks for signs of infestation.  Anyone spotting signs of infestation should contact the DEC and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Mr. Rosenthal also requested the Board ask the DEC to take proactive steps in providing monitoring for early detection.  Mr. Rosenthal stated the Smokey Mountain rage has suffered 95% deforestation of their hemlocks due to this insect and the Catskill Mountains are under threat.  The State is attempting to breed natural predators of the insects, but direct application of certain pesticides can be used to kill infestation as well.  Graham Cox of the Conservation Committee also encouraged the Board members to help influence the DEC to address the threat.  The State Department of Parks has been successful with spotting new infestations and eradicating them, but the DEC is lagging behind.

Tom Ketcham, Oak St, addressed the Board regarding a neighborhood watch program.  The Board informed him Councilman Ed Byrnes had been actively trying to recruit members and asked that he contact Mr. Byrnes.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Denno thanked the Board for passing the motion to investigate the need for a special police protection contract, but felt it did not go far enough.

Atty Buettner requested an executive session to discuss the purchase of real property.

Motion by Trustee Denno, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by Atty Buettner above, 8:45 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 9:00 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved publication of a public hearing on the proposed Water Ordinance, Local Law 2 of 2017, to be held at 6:00 PM in the firehouse on July 19, 2017.
Carried – 4 – 0

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Enekes, that Board adjourn, 9:10 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer