Village Board Minutes

January 19, 2022 (34)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held January 19, 2022 at 6:15 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 6:40 PM.  Mayor Pasquarell was excused.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved minutes of January 5, 2022 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

Mary Beth McCue, 165 Dunn Ave, wrote the Board expressing concerns with increased violence and crime in the area.  The letter was read aloud by Ms. McCue at the 1/5/2022 meeting.

Gary G. Gifford, Office of the NYS Comptroller, wrote the Board to inform them the Village of Corinth has been selected for an audit of financial operations.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 1/19/2022 filed.

Clerk-Treas Colson informed the Board the recent exemption for water properties granted the Village by the Town of Corinth saved $2,595.25 on Town & County tax bills.  Atty Buettner will be requesting the County and School offer the same exemption to the Village water properties.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Bedell,  approved payment of abstract #15: Payroll $39,028.20 (#765-767); General $269,719.90 (#768-801, 817-820); Water $5,024.44 (#792, 798, 801-803, 805,817-818, 820); Sewer $10,397.23 (#792-793, 797-799, 801, 804-814, 817-818); and Capital Projects $6,142.61 (#815-816, 819-820).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #37 approved, authorize Clerk-Treasurer to make budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present.

Chief Kelley informed the Board the new firetruck is on track for March delivery.

Chief Kelley also informed the Board that a firefighter from the Lake George Fire Department is assisting the Village with the dive team.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 1/19/2022 filed.

Trustee Bedell inquired about a recent fire on Sherman Ave, Insp Hepner stated there were no working smoke detectors on the first floor which will need to be remedied along with damage from the fire.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #38 approved, amend Resolution #35 to set Palmer Avenue bid opening at Village Hall, February 23, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

The Board reconsidered a request by International Paper to waive late fees on their effluent billing.  The Board recognized that IP has provided the Village with use of mixing equipment in order to help troubleshoot functionality at the new waste water treatment plant which saved the Village from having to pay to rent equipment.

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved waiving $1,999.20 in late fees from International Paper’s effluent discharge sewer account.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #39 approved, authorize mayoral signature on contract with Downing’s Towing to provide towing services to at no cost to the Village.

Resolution #40 approved, authorize mayoral signature on contract with Smartt Software for IT services; $400/month.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, authorized publication of a public hearing to be held via videoconference on February 2, 2022 at 6:00 PM for public input relating to a potential 2022 application to the State for Community Development Block Grant funding for the Palmer Avenue Project.
Carried – 3 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

John Tangora, Wall Street, requested an update on vacant properties in the Village and the application of the Public Nuisance Code.

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, asked if the Village is part of the initiative to reduce road salt usage and offered to forward information to the Board.

Mary Beth McCue, Dunn Avenue, suggested the formation of a coalition with community members, Town officials and Village officials to discuss issues and community concerns.

At 6:40 PM Trustee Brown arrived.

Louise Kirkpatrick, Dunn Avenue, stated she would be delivering a petition with 550 signatures objecting to the recently approved RISE housing project and predatory PILOT programs.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Bedell stated he was interested in a coalition and that he would look into the question of PILOT programs.

Trustee Kelly assured the public their comments were being taken seriously.  Trustee Kelly also updated those present on discussions regarding native planting, including the offer of the assistance of a Master Gardner from Cornell Cooperative Extension.  Trustee Kelly also reported on discussions with Dennis Brobston of the SEDC and IP representatives regarding recent interest at the IP site.  Trustee Kelly congratulated the Corinth Girls Basketball team on their successes this season.

Trustee Brown apologized for being late, thanked the public for coming to meetings and encouraged them to choose to serve the community to way to bring about change.  Trustee Brown reminded the public that the RISE project has been approved, as well as the PILOT with Adam Lawrence.

ADJOURNMENT

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

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer