Village Board Minutes

February 16, 2022 (38)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held February 16, 2022 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 Halliday, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of February 2, 2022 public hearing & regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

Mayor Pasquarell stated the Board received a petition from residents opposed to the RISE housing project.  Atty Buettner informed the public of several key legal points as follows:

1.      The RISE project received approval from the Planning Board.  The time to sue on that approval under article 78 has passed.  There is no legal mechanism to undo the approval. 

2.      The Village Board of Trustees had no say in the approval.  The Planning Board is a separate and independent board under the law.  The Village Board has no legal authority over the Planning Board.  The sole power the Village Board has with respect to the Planning Board is to appoint the members.

3.      To date, the Village Board has not been officially presented with a request for a PILOT agreement. In anticipation of one being presented, there is currently legal research being performed as to whether the Village even has the legal authority to enter into the PILOT, as the Town is the lawful assessing unit for Village properties.

4.      A moratorium on “low-income housing”, even if such would be legal and not unconstitutionally discriminative, would not apply to RISE as it has final approval and therefore vested rights. 

5.      Based on the above, the Village Board has no legal authority to grant the demands in the petition.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk- Treas Colson was present, report for 2-16-2022 filed.

Motion by Mayor Pasquarell, seconded by Trustee Brown,  approved payment of abstract #17: Payroll $40,462.03 (#860-863); $51,086.22 (#864-899, 905-906); Water $13,356.15 (#896, 898, 899-901, 905-906); Sewer $3,075.49 (#896-899, 902, 905-906); and Capital Projects $145,561.76 (#903-904).
Carried – 5 – 0

Resolution #46 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was excused.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 2-16-2022 filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board considered the NYS DOT’s request for the Village to take over responsibility for the traffic lights in the Village during a power outage by buying, storing, operating and maintaining generators to be used during outages.  Due to the costs involved and potential liability the Board consensus was not to take responsibility from the State through this optional program.  There are no penalties to the Village for declining to participate.

The Board considered an invoice from Germain Heating for work done at 308 Ash Street.  The homeowner had no water, called the Village Hall, and since there were no other complaints of no water on Ash St was instructed to call a plumber to check her home plumbing.  Germain Heating discovered the water line was in fact frozen in the street, close to the water main.  DPW then responded to remedy the situation.  Atty Buettner stated that the Board could consider paying the charges since the problem was on Village property, discovered by the investigation by the plumber on the homeowner’s property at the direction of the Village.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved payment of Germain Heating’s bill for work done at 308 Ash Street in the amount of $3,020.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, inquired about possible wildflower plantings at the Reservoir property; Supt Lozier will investigate.  Ms. Michelle also inquired about road salt reduction.  Trustee Kelly thanked Ms. Michelle for the road salt info and stated the Village would consider participating if contacted by the Commission, but must balance road safety with salt reduction.

Dennis Morreale, Center St, complimented Supt Lozier and his crew on storm response.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Halliday commended Supt Lozier & the DPW for road maintenance.

Trustee Kelly mentioned the need to coordinate with the Town regarding the Image Committee and volunteers for the Beautification Committee.  Trustee Kelly also noted the Village must begin outreach for lifeguards soon to ensure all proper training is received.  Trustee Kelly also mentioned the “Wi-Fi Stop” the library is planning to build to allow for quick Wi-Fi access outside the library; the Public Service Commission Broadband Study and public hearings; as well as Jim Martin of the LA Group’s offer to assist with a citizen committee dedicated to economic development.  Trustee Kelly also mentioned a recent article in The Post Star about the Town’s transfer of the timekeeper’s building to the Mill Museum and congratulated the Girls’ Basketball team on their 18-0 winning season.

Trustee Brown & Trustee Bedell thanked Ms. Michelle for the road salt reduction information.

Mayor Pasquarell informed the Board of his two recent meetings with Supervisor Butler and stated he looked forward to working together.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, that Board adjourn, 6:30 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer