Village Board Minutes

November 1, 2023 (26)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held November 1, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

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

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of regular meeting October 20,2023 as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board referred to a memo by Atty Buettner outlining their abilities to waive or amend water & sewer fees.  The Sewer Code does not give the Board authority to modify amounts other than setting rates.  The Board declared their intention to revisit the Sewer Code & make modifications.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, denied a request by Eric Zheng, 123 Main St, to adjust his water & sewer usage based on a previously undetected leak.
Carried – 4 -0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, denied a request by Einars Tupuritis, to reduce his water and sewer bill and waive late fees at 3 Gobel Avenue.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, denied a request by Adolfo Suero, to reduce his water and sewer bill at 31 Heath Street.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Brown, denied a request by Rachel Jackson, 605 Palmer Ave, to reduce her water and sewer bill.
Carried – 4 – 0

After further discussion and consultation with Atty Buettner, the Board decided to repeal denials on requests from Mr. Tupuritis, Mr. Suero, and Ms. Jackson for further review.  The requests, including a request from Russ Boggs, were tabled for further review.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, that motions regarding requests by Einars Tupuritis, 3 Gobel Ave; Adolfo Suero, 31 Heath St; and Rachel Jackson, 605 Palmer Ave be rescinded.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Kendra Scheiber, Overlook Dr, offered her support of installation of all-way stop at Main St/Eggleston St citing her experience as a school bus driver.

Mike McKelligott, Oak St, suggested employing a crossing guard at the Main St/Eggleston St intersection before installing an all-way stop.  Mayor Pasquarell stated we currently still have a shortage of crossing guards.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 11/1/2023 read & filed.

Clerk-Treas Colson shared that Pagenstecher Park attendance records for May – October while the Park Attendants were on duty totaled over 5,400 visitors, in addition to the 246 attendees that participated in the August 19^th Mill Museum “Touch a Truck” event.

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Brown, approved payment of abstract #11 in the amount of: Payroll $35,125.90 (#0435-0436); General $97,228.80 (#0437-0459; 0472-0474); Water $2,095.03 (#0458-0460; 0474); Sewer $7,586.14 (#0452; 0458-0459; 0461-0470; 0472-0474); and Capital Projects $68,854.67 (#0471).
Carried – 4 – 0

Resolution #31, approved budget transfers.

Clerk-Treas Colson informed the Board Casella Waste intends to begin completing Village garbage pick-up in one day per week due to the addition of new equipment.  Clerk-Treas Colson recommended the changes take place the week of December 11, 2023 in order to communicate the change to residents through the water/sewer bills.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved change to Casella trash & recycling contract to reflect one Village collection day of Wednesday each week.
Carried – 4 – 0

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

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved application for a matching funds equipment grant up to $2,500 from the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant program through the U.S. Forest Service and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation with a November 15, 2023 deadline.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 6:37 PM Chief Kelley was excused.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 11/1/2023 read & filed.

Trustee Kelly reported on progress on the RISE apartment building based on her recent tour and thanked Insp Hepner for being on site frequently to inspect the project.

At 6:39 PM Insp Hepner was excused.

OLD BUSINESS

The Board discussed in detail potential changes to Chapter 281: Garbage, Refuse & Recycling to limit residential garbage pick-up to properties with under five residential units, grandfathering properties currently receiving garbage pick-up until the property is conveyed and adding an option for a variance.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, approved advertisement in The Post Star of a public hearing regarding changes to the Village Code Chapter 281: Garbage, Refuse & Recycling to be held at the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave on Wednesday, December 6 at 6:00 PM.
Carried – 4- 0

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #32 approved, hiring of William Burnham as MEO at $24.95 per hour as of 11/2/2023 with the requirement to acquire his CDL license within 12 months.

The Board discussed installation of an all-way stop at the Main St/Eggleston St intersection to alleviate traffic congestions and reduce speeding.  Trustee Halliday did voice concerns it may cause some traffic issues at Oak St & Main St during school dismissal but was otherwise in favor of the traffic control devices.

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Brown, approved instructing DPW to install all necessary traffic signage at the Main St/Eggleston St intersection to enact an all-way stop
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved advertisement in The Post Star of a public hearing regarding changes to the Village Code Chapter 467: Vehicles and Traffic to be held at the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave on Wednesday, December 6 immediately following the first public hearing at 6:00 PM.
Carried – 4- 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, approved Hometown Christmas Parade to be held December 2, 2023 with a line-up at 3:00 PM at the Elementary School on Center St.        
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Kelly, authorized publication of notice of March 19, 2024 election offices and terms in The Post Star.
Carried – 4 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved donation of water meter to the Mill Museum on Pine Street.
Carried – 3 – 0 – 1 abstain
Trustee Bedell – aye; Trustee Brown – aye; Trustee Halliday – aye; Trustee Kelly – abstained

 

The Board reviewed the design proposal submitted by Kendra Schieber of The Sign Studio for the welcome sign at the northern entrance to the Village.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kelly, authorized mayoral signature on design proposal from The Sign Studio for welcome sign.
Carried – 4 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, expressed concern that limiting dwelling units to one recycling toter and two garbage toters would discourage recycling.  Ms. Michelle also inquired if the Village had discussed native plantings and not using pesticides with Cleveland Brothers for the upcoming season.  The Village has not yet discussed new contracts with Cleveland Brothers.

Mike McKelligott, Oak St, stated the section of Main St near Eggleston St should prohibit parking.  Mayor Pasquarell stated he would ask Supt Lozier to check the Code & signage at that location.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Brown thanked the participants in the Fall Festival for a fantastic event.

Mayor Pasquarell requested executive sessions to discuss litigation, the job performance of an individual, and real estate.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Trustee Kelly, seconded by Trustee Bedell, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by Mayor Pasquarell above, 7:37 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

At 8:02 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

Resolution #33 approved, extension of deadline for Justin Byrnes to acquire his CDL license to December 17, 2023.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Brown, that Board adjourn, 8:03 PM.
Carried – 4 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer