May 18, 2022 (56)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held May 18, 2022 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Avenue.

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

Roll Call: Trustee Bedell, Trustee Brown, Trustee Coltrain and Trustee Halliday were present.  Mayor Pasquarell was excused.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, approved minutes of May 4, 2022 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Don Rhodes, Laberge Group,  stated the DEC has accepted the Village’s risk management plan for the reed bed plantings at WWTP with the caveat that if native Phragmites are used the beds must be tested for hybridization with invasive Phragmites in five years and every five years following.  If the Phragmites are found to have hybridized the DEC will require the Village to remove the Phragmites within 60 days.  It is Laberge’s recommendation to proceed with planting of the Phragmites instead of conventional wetland plants for several reasons:

·        Conventional wetland plants are expected to survive 5-7 years before replanting.

·        Phragmites are expected to survive 10-20 years before replanting.

·        If Phragmites hybridize the earliest they would need to be removed is 5 years, if they do not hybridize excavation can take place on 10-20 year intervals.

Mr. Rhodes also pointed out that since current flows are very low at the plant a 20 year life cycle is very possible.

Motion by Trustee Coltrain, seconded by Trustee Bedell, instructed Atty Buettner to send notice to proceed to Constructed Wetlands Group with instructions to plant Phragmites Americanus in the WWTP reed beds as soon as possible.
Carried – 4 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

Town of Corinth Fun Day Committee wrote informing the Board of the Community Fun Day planned for June 8, 2022 (June 9 rain date) at the Corinth Elementary School and requesting a donation toward expenses.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved donation of $1,000 to the Town for expenses related to the 2022 Community Fun Day.
Carried – 4 – 0

The American Legion requested permission to hold their Memorial Day Parade, May 30^th (31^st rain date) beginning at the intersection of Palmer Ave & Fifth St, parade line up is 5:00 PM with the parade stepping off at 6:00 PM.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Coltrain, approved American Legion Memorial Day Parade Monday May 30^th with a rain date of May 31^st.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) – none.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 5/18/2022 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved payment of abstract #23: Payroll $34,302.64 (#1183-1186); General $36,156.37 (#1187-1212; 1227); Water $7,461.79 (#1205; #1207; 1213-1217; 1223; 1227); Sewer $3,351.99 (1205; 1207; 1209; 1217-1224; 1227); and Capital Projects $56,556.76 (#1225-1226).
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #88 approved, budget transfers.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS (CONT.)

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present.

The new 2022 Rosenbauer fire truck is now in service.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

Supt Lozier informed the Board of an issue on Lemont Avenue involving lots with water services that cross adjoining lots and one lot with two services.  The connections were made many years ago and it is believed one lot was subdivided.  The Board discussed in detail, with input from Insp Hepner & Atty Buettner, and determined 35 Lemont would need to install a new connection on his property and 38 Lemont needs to disconnect one of the services on his property with connection/disconnection fees waived for both owners.

Resolution #89 approved waive connection fee for 35 Lemont Avenue to install service at location of DPW Supt discretion, and waive disconnection fee for 38 Lemont Ave for one service removal location to be determined by DPW Supt.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 5/18/2022 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Chief Kelley informed the Board the high bid for the surplus fire truck received through Auctions International was $21,100.  Chief Kelley requested the Board reject the bid as too low; he recommended a counter offer & rebidding if necessary.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Coltrain, that Board reject fire truck bid with a counter offer of $32,000; if the counter offer is rejected the Board authorized rebidding the truck through Auctions International with a minimum bid of $32,000.
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #90 approved, hiring of Kody Tennant as part-time DPW seasonal laborer; $15.50 per hour.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, authorized mayoral signature on member agreement with UDig NY (formerly NY Dig Safe).
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #91 approved, authorize mayoral signature on 2022/2023 tax warrant ($1,980,310.14).

The Board tabled hiring of janitor for the Firehouse.

The Board discussed the Firehouse solar panels and damaged concrete blocks holding them down.  The Board instructed Supt Lozier to examine the blocks for replacement/repair and instructed Atty Buettner to research liability for damages in the solar contract.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

John Tangora, Wall Street, inquired about the status of posting Sheriff Dept reports online.  Clerk-Treas Colson stated Mayor Pasquarell was working with the Sheriff to obtain statistical reports.  Mr. Tangora also requested action on local vacant properties in disrepair.  Mr. Tangora suggested requiring inspections to verify buildings are structurally sound & properly secured to prevent access and requested more action against property owners.  Atty Buettner & Insp Hepner are addressing current problems.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Bedell assured Mr. Tangora the Board was aware of the vacant property situation and doing their best to legally address the issue.

Trustee Brown thanked Mr. Tangora for his comments and reiterated the Board’s intent to address the issue.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Deputy Mayor Halliday requested an executive session to discuss current Article 7 litigation with Indeck.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by the Deputy Mayor above, 6:55 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 7:08 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Halliday, instructed Atty Buettner and special legal counsel to appeal Indeck trial decision.
Carried – 4 – 0

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, that Board adjourn, 7:09 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer