Village Board Minutes

February 3, 2025 (46)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held February 3, 2025 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 Bedell, Trustee Clark & Trustee Kirchhoff were present.  Trustee Stollery was excused.

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of January 23, 2025 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 2/3/2025 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, approved payment of abstract #16 in the amount of: Payroll $45,100.12 (#0728-0729); General $59,967.35 (#0730-0744; 0755-0761); Water $4,305.30 (#0745-0750; 0755-0760); Sewer $7,904.45 (#0732; 0751-0753; 0755-0761); and Capital Projects $ 1,918,270.27 (#0754).
            Carried – 3 – 0

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present, report for January 2025 read & filed.

Annual physicals and fit testing have been completed.

ETA – 212 was damaged, the truck is still in service.  Chief Kelley is getting repair estimates.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present, report for January 2025 read & filed.

DEC water withdrawal report was completed.  The mixer at WWTP was repaired , but is out of service again.

There is a muskrat in the reed beds at WWTP that needs to be removed.  Live traps have been set.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 2/3/2025 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Miller will follow up with Food Pantry representatives on the agreement for DPW to complete monthly pick-ups.

The Board discussed Local Law 2 of 2025 amending parking on Palmer Avenue to eliminate some unnecessary timed parking and no parking spots and to add no parking in the areas near the intersection with Main St and the Town/Village line.

Resolution #47 approved, declaration of Village Board as Lead Agency under SEQR for Local Law 2 of 2025.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff approved publication of a public hearing to consider Local Law 2 of 2025 to be held February 20, 2025 at 6:30 PM in the Firehouse.
Carried – 3 – 0

Head Operator Holmes requested quotes from the only two Homa pump dealers in the area: Emmons Metro and Pump Service 7 Supply of Troy, only Emmons responded.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved purchase of grease interceptor mixer from Emmons Metro, $6,635.
Carried – 3 – 0

Chief Kelley has collected quotes on replacement fire hose to replenish inventory of usable hose.  Trustee Clark recused himself from the discussion as a member of the Fire Department.  Quotes were received as follows: NY Fire Equipment $15,651.00; Darley $19,065.20; and Heiman $18,180.00.  Mayor Miller requested a copy of hose testing reports.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved purchase of multiple lengths of supply and attack fire hose from NY Fire Equipment for $15,651.
Carried – 3 – 0 – 1
Trustee Bedell – aye; Trustee Clark – recused; Trustee Kirchhoff – aye; Mayor Miller - aye

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Robert Jeremias, Raymond St, addressed the Board to ask them to review the current Junk Vehicle Code.  Mr. Jeremias feels the current Code is too restrictive and that one unregistered vehicle kept in good repair should be allowed.  The vehicle on his property is in need of minor repair and will be moved in the spring, he requested the Board be reasonable about this type of situation.  The Board thanked him for his comments and will follow up.

Jim Murray, Center St, requested more frequent patrolling of the Village by the Sheriff’s Department outside of the Special Protection Contract timeframes.    Mr. Murray also requested the Board consider reinstating the Village Police Department.

Louise Carney, representing the Saratoga Ladies of Saratoga National Cemetery, invited the Board to attend their first Benefit Golf Tournament and Flag-Folding Ceremony at the Bend of the River Golf Course on Saturday, June 14,2025 at 1:00 PM.  Mrs. Carney explained that the Saratoga Ladies group is modeled after a volunteer women’s group that participate in military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery offering condolences, paying tribute, and standing as silent witnesses.  The Saratoga Ladies currently attend approximately 75 internments for veterans a month and are hoping to also begin attending the internments of spouses of veterans.

Dwayn Burke, Oak St, thanked Mrs. Carney for her service as a volunteer & thanked Mr. Jeremias for his service as a veteran.

Jason Petrovitch, Pine St, inquired about recording meetings; the mayor has quotes.  Mr. Petrovitch also asked if Adam Lawrence apartments pay taxes, they have a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Mayor Miller stated he is reviewing options for spending the Trails Grant; Supt Lozier has already constructed some benches, and the mayor will be looking into sign options. 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, that Board adjourn, 7:20 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer