Village Board Minutes

August 2, 2023 (13)

A public hearing & regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

Mayor Pasquarell announced John Coltrain has resigned as a Village Trustee due to an increase in commitments at work.  Mayor Pasquarell appointed Maureen Kelly to fill the position until the commencement of the next Village year in April.

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

The Board completed environmental review of the Special Use Permit application for 28 Saratoga Ave.  Having declared themselves Lead Agency at the July 19, 2023 meeting, the Board completed Parts 2 & 3 of SEQRA.

Resolution #16 approved, negative declaration by Village Board as Lead Agency under SEQR for proposed 28 Saratoga Avenue project finding little or no significant environmental impact.

Kevin Cleveland, applicant for Special Use Permit at 28 Saratoga Ave, stated his intent to construct self-storage units on the property.  Mr. Cleveland cited a need in the area for storage with new multi-unit apartments being built and the number of seasonal residents in the area.  Mr. Cleveland expressed his hope of bringing value to the community and stated the property will be well maintained.

Insp Hepner stated the property was an unusual property located right next to the railroad tracks and would not be conducive to residential development.  Insp Hepner also stated the engineering of the project was completed diligently and had been reviewed by Village Engineer Don Rhodes with no issues noted.  Saratoga County has also determined no significant countywide or intercommunity impact.

A public hearing having been duly advertised in The Post Star on July 25, 2023 was held August 2, 2023 at 6:07 PM re: Special Use Permit for Saratoga 28 Avenue.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

With no comment from the public, Mayor Pasquarell closed the public hearing at 6:08 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk – Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 2, 2023 at 6:08 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of public hearing & regular meeting July 19, 2023 as typed.
Carried – 4- 0

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 8/2/2023 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved payment of abstract #5 in the amount of: Payroll $41,467.56 (#0157-0158); General $48,130.15 (#0159-0180; 0197; 0199-0203); Water $8,993.79 (#0181-0184; 0188; 0197; 0200-0203); Sewer $15,121.37 (#0184-0194; 0197; 0199-0203); and Capital Projects $716,769.78 (#0195-0196; 0198).
Carried – 4 – 0

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for July 2023 read & filed.

Chief Kelley informed the Board that the Corinth Volunteer Firemen’s Association has made arrangements to purchase a 2023 Chevrolet Blazer which they have offered to donate to the Village for use by the Fire Department.

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Bedell, to conditionally accept donation of a 2023 Chevrolet Blazer from the Volunteer Firemen’s Association, upon receipt of the title from the Firemen’s Association demonstrating ownership by the Association, and all legal paperwork required to transfer vehicle ownership to the Village, as verified by the attorney for the Village.
Carried – 3 – 0 – 2 abstentions
Trustee Bedell – aye, Trustee Brown – abstain, Trustee Halliday – aye, Trustee Kelly – aye, Mayor Pasquarell – abstain.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for July 2023 read & filed.

Supt Lozier informed the Board Foot Hills Builders are finalizing plans for the 40 home subdivision off Main Street in the Town and moving forward with what is required to receive Village water as part of the Town’s Water District.  The Town was not interested in forming a sewer district to service this subdivision and other Town properties.

Trustee Kelly requested Supt Lozier notify Kubricky about the August 19 “Touch A Truck” event to benefit the Mill Museum as they will be using the alley on Palmer Ave.  Trustee Kelly also remarked that the new retaining wall on Palmer Ave looked beautiful, the Board concurred.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 8/2/2023 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

Discussion of amendments to the Garbage, Refuse & Recycling Code were tabled.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #17, upon reviewing all documentation provided by Kevin and Michelle Cleveland and all applicable Code requirements, the Board approved the Special Use Permit for 28 Saratoga Avenue.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, gave permission to Mill Museum to hang a banner advertising the 8/19/2023 “Touch A Truck” event at Pagenstecher Park and waive the fee.
Carried – 3 – 0 – 1 abstention
Trustee Bedell – aye, Trustee Brown – aye, Trustee Halliday – aye, Trustee Kelly – abstain.

Resolution #18 approved, purchase of Sidewalk Plow from Joe Johnson Equipment for $192,828.45 to be paid from the DPW Equipment Reserve.

Mayor Pasquarell appointed himself & Trustee Brown to the Audit Committee effective immediately.

The Board briefly discussed the Fire Chief’s request to increase the FD Equipment budget line by $20,000 from fund balance and to increase the Fire Equipment Reserve by the amount unspent in the Fire Department’s 2022/2023 budget before tabling the issues for more consideration.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, requested the Board consider the negative impacts of pesticides used on Village properties.  Trustee Kelly requested Ms. Michelle send her information regarding alternatives.

Kevin Cleveland, Angel Road, had questions regarding potential changes to the Garbage, Refuse & Recycling Code.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

The Board welcomed Trustee Kelly back with thanks.

Mayor Pasquarell requested an executive session to discuss the job history & performance of a particular individual.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Halliday, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by Mayor Pasquarell above, 6:43 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 6:50 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Resolution #19 approved, grant Justin Byrnes an extension to acquire his CDL license by November 16, 2023.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, that Board adjourn, 6:51 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer