Village Board Minutes

January 5, 2022 (32)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held January 5, 2022 at 6:00 PM via videoconference,

Deputy Mayor Halliday called the meeting to order.

Roll Call:  Trustee Bedell, Trustee Halliday & Trustee Kelly were present.  Trustee Brown arrived at 6:07 PM.  Mayor Pasquarell was excused.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved minutes of December 15, 2021 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

At 6:07 PM Trustee Brown joined the conference.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 1/5/2022 filed.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved abstract #14: Payroll $40,944.28 (#705-711); General $81,563.20 (#712-753; 763-764); Water $4,711.45 (#749, 752-756); Sewer $3,589.09 (#749, 752-753, 756-760); and Capital Projects $77,271.40 (#761-762).
Carried – 4 – 0

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

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

BUILDING INSPECTOR - Insp Hepner was present, report for 1/5/2022 filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #34 approved, authorize mayoral signature on Change Order #12, WWTP general contract with W. M. Schultz, decrease of $64,161.68; total contract $12,048,609.00.

Resolution #35 approved, schedule the bid opening for the Palmer Avenue project for February 11, 2022 at 2:00 PM in the Village Hall and authorize publication in The Post Star upon submission of bid documents to the DEC, DOH, DPW, EFC, OCR, and the Village Attorney.

Resolution #36 approved, the polling place for the Tuesday, March 15, 2022 General Election will be Village Hall, 244 Main Street, with polls open 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

John Tangora, Wall Street, addressed the Board requesting Board meetings be videoed and stored for future viewing.  Mr. Tangora also requested action be taken on abandoned properties in the Village and requested a moratorium on not-for profits that do not have a business plan or show benefits in jobs and taxes.  Mr. Tangora stated low-income housing should not be brought into the Village and rising crime and drugs need to be addressed.

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, made suggestions regarding utilizing Zoom for Board meetings.  Ms. Michelle also discussed a willingness to start a garden club in the Village for beautification, Trustee Kelly will confer with Ms. Michelle.

Louise Kirkpatrick, Dunn Avenue, addressed the Board regarding Hudson Falls’ Nuisance Abatement Law, which is the same as the Village’s Nuisance Abatement Law.  Ms. Kirkpatrick also spoke of an increase in violent crime in the

Village, citing an instance on New Year’s Day in which she heard gun fire.  Ms. Kirkpatrick also stated she has hundreds of signatures on a petition against low-income housing and requested a task force on the issue.

Mary Beth McCue, Dunn Avenue, read a letter submitted to the Board that day which related a conversation with a Saratoga Springs police officer regarding increased violence in the area.  Ms. McCue requested a police presence in the Village, and improvement of the YMCA and school system, and stated crime and lack of community development were main concerns to be addressed.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND CONCERNS

Trustee Brown encouraged the public to continue sharing their concerns with the Board, but stated the RISE low-income housing project had been properly approved and could not be prevented by a moratorium or petitions.  Trustee Brown also stated the law enforcement presence in the Village was well trained and engaged in current issues.

Trustee Bedell thanked the public for their comments and assured them the Board would attempt to address their concerns.

Trustee Kelly questioned the budget calendar, Clerk-Treas Colson stated budget workshop meeting usually begin in March.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, that Board adjourn, 7:04 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer