Village Board Minutes

November 3, 2021 (23)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held November 3, 2021 at 6:00 PM via videoconference.

Mayor Pasquarell called the meeting to order.

Roll Call:  Trustee Bedell, Trustee Brown, Trustee Halliday & Trustee Kelly were present.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved minutes of October 20, 2021 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 11/3/2021 filed.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved payment of abstract #10: Payroll $36,405.78 (#501-503); General $78,257.33 (#504-532; 541-545); Water $4,642.60 (#533-535; 542; 544-545); and Sewer $4,866.59 (#536-540; 541-545).
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved publication in The Post-Star of offices and terms to be filled in the March 15, 2022 General Election.
Carried – 4- 0

Clerk-Treas Colson & Atty Buettner explained to the Board that due to Saratoga County’s interpretation of the new Utility Law they have refused to include the unpaid water rent portion of the Village’s unpaid tax levy on the Town & County property tax bills.  Therefore the remaining amounts due for water will need to be collected through utility billing.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for October 2021 filed.

Chief Kelley informed the Board that the fire alarm system at the firehouse has begun malfunctioning.  The original system was installed in 2005 and replacement parts are scarce.  Chief Kelley is gathering quotes for a new system.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused, report for October 2021 filed.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 11/3/2021 filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #20 approved, adoption of COVID-19 Water Charges Deferred Payment Agreement.

Resolution #21 approved, delegate authority to negotiate all COVID-19 Water Charges Deferred Payment Agreements to Clerk-Treasurer Colson & Trustee Brown and authorize mayoral execution upon attorney review.

Clerk-Treas Colson informed the Board of the changes made to the Volunteer Firefighter’s Cancer coverage.  The Board opted to include Exterior Firefighters and offer the Enhanced coverage which covers more types of cancer than the Standard option.

Atty Buettner discussed negotiations with the Fireman’s Association regarding the traffic control contract for December 4^th, Hometown Christmas.  The Board agreed to remove the “crowd control” provision.  If there is no mutual agreement on the other changes, the Village will seek other options.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved removal of “crowd control” from the traffic control contract with the Fireman’s Association and authorized mayoral signature upon mutual agreement and attorney review.
Carried – 4 – 0

Don Rhodes, Laberge Group, presented an option to the Board for the reconstruction of Palmer Avenue.  In discussions with International Paper of trenchless utility replacement under the railroad tracks the option to remove the tracks was offered by IP.  The current condition of the tracks would not allow them to be used without extensive renovation.  Removal of the tracks would save money during the reconstruction.  Board consensus was to remove the tracks at this time preserving the right of the property owners to replace the tracks at a later date.

Resolution #22 approved, change order #10 for General Contract #1 WWTP construction, W. M. Schultz, increase of $2,278.83 for a total contract of $12,110,533.80.

Resolution #23 approved, change order #11 for General Contract #1 WWTP construction, W. M. Schultz, increase of $2,236.88 for a total contract of $12,112,770.68.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Bedell asked for an update on the reed bed planting at the new WWTP.  Don Rhodes stated the DEC has not authorized the phragmites at this point, once they are approved they can be planted up until December.  If phragmites are not approved conventional wetland plantings would be used.  Currently the beds are watertight with sand filters and functioning.

Trustee Kelly stated she has been working with Supervisor Lucia on the Hometown Christmas celebration and the Image Committee will submit a request for parade permission to the Board.

Trustee Brown expressed appreciation for the Sheriff patrols and their participation at the Firehouse Halloween event.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Kelly, that Board adjourn, 7:00 PM.
Carried- 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer