Village Board Minutes

October 7, 2024 (27)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held October 7, 2024 at 6:30 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

Roll Call: Trustee Clark, Trustee Kirchhoff & Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Bedell was excused.

CORRESPONDENCE

The Board received a letter from Donna Haas, Main St, citing issues with construction notification, large branches on a tree and a request for a four-way stop or traffic light at Main St/Palmer Ave/Mechanic St.  The mayor will meet with the resident.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Jim Murray, Center St, asked the Board to consider a three-way stop at Oak & Main St to keep traffic moving smoothly.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER - Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 10/7/2024 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved payment of abstract #8 in the amount of: Payroll $43,979.97 (#0310-0311); General $72,030.15 (#0313-0380; 0395-0397); Water $7,772.77 (#0378; 0380-0385; 0396); Sewer $237,154.74 (#0378-0380; 0386-0393; 0395-0397); and Capital Projects $406,560.19 (#0394).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #29 approved, budget transfers.

Clerk-Treas Colson informed the Board of the necessity for the Village to be certified as a Pro-Housing Community for discretionary NYS grants and suggested waiting until 2024 in order to include data from the Rise Housing project.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for September 2024 read & filed.

Chief Kelley stated the department is up to date on hose and pump testing.  Extrication equipment has been serviced.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for September 2024 read & filed.

Supt Lozier stated Palmer Ave sidewalks are 75% done, Gobel Ave is ready for blacktopping, new hydrants were installed on Center St and the road was blacktopped.

DPW will investigate a leak in the roof of River St Pump Stationto determine if the crew can complete repairs.

Mayor Miller stated Center St looks good and requested a radar sign be moved to West Mechanic St along with installation of additional speed limit signage.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT – Insp Hepner was excused, report for 10/7/2024 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed the proposed Special Protection Contract, negotiations for a lower price were unsuccessful.

Resolution # 30 approved, authorize mayoral signature on a Special Protection contract with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department for 6/1/2024 – 5/31/2025 for $176,088.69.

The Board discussed options to repair damage to a vehicle owned by Shawn Morehouse.  The vehicle was damaged by a fireman during response to a fire call.  The Board agreed to purchase the mirror that needs to be replaced and discuss options for repair with Mr. Morehouse.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved purchase of parts for the repair of the vehicle of Shawn Morehouse up to $450.
Carried – 3 – 0

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, thanked the Board for their support of the Gateway 8 Challenge, thanked Supt Lozier for the DPW’s efforts at the Reservoir, and discussed potential uses for the Saratoga County Trails Grant.

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, stated the mugwort is growing back at the Reservoir Property the Board accepted her offer to pull the plants again and agreed to pay for the disposal.

Jim Murray, Center St, thanked the DPW & Town Highway Dept for the reconstruction and paving of Center St, and Village Hall for assisting with Frontier reconnecting his phone line.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Stollery stated the Main St/Eggleston St three-way stop helps with the school traffic.

Mayor Miller stated he is addressing complaints of speeders and children causing trouble with the Sheriff’s Department.  The mayor informed the public the Palmer Ave project is progressing well, the Village is in the preliminary stages of updating the website, and strategic planning will be undertaken for potential Downtown Revitalization grants.  Mayor Miller stated there were 600 people on the Scenic Train this past weekend and noted that a new restaurant at 515 Palmer Ave will be opening next Wednesday.  The mayor also expressed appreciation for all departments of the Village and the work they do.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Stollery, seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, that Board adjourn, 7:10 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer