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Village Board Minutes April 7, 2025 (60) An Organizational Meeting, public hearing & regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 7, 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 & Trustee Stollery were present. Mayor Miller appointed Michael Bedell as Deputy Mayor. Resolution #56 approved, Mayoral appointment of Annaliese Stautner as Deputy Clerk-Treasurer, 1-year term. Resolution #57 approved, Mayoral appointment of Arthur Lozier III as DPW Superintendent, 4-year term. Resolution #58 approved Mayoral appointment of Neil Hepner as Building Inspector, 1-year term. Resolution #59 approved, Mayoral appointment of Nicole M. Colson as Budget Officer, 1-year term. Resolution #60 approved, Mayoral appointment of Arthur Lozier III as Damage Assessment Officer, 1-year term. Resolution #61 approved, Fire Dept slate of officers as attached. Resolution #62 approved, Investment Policy with no revisions. Resolution #63 approved, Procurement Policy with no revisions. Resolution #64 approved, Water Emergency Plan with no revisions. Resolution #65 approved, Board Meeting schedule through April 1, 2026. Resolution #66 approved, Organizational Meeting date established as April 6, 2026. Resolution #67 approved, mileage rate of $0.70 paid to employees & officials when using personal vehicles. Resolution #68 approved, Glens Falls Post Star designated official newspaper. Resolution #69 approved, certain claims to be paid prior to audit. Resolution #70 approved, Arrow Bank designated official depository. Resolution #71 approved, designation of Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes, PC as attorneys for the Village. Resolution #72 approved, designation of Laberge Group as engineer for the Village, up to $300 per hour. Resolution #73 approved, Rules of Procedures for meetings with revisions. Resolution #74 approved, permission for officials & employees to attend training sessions. Mayor Miller appointed the
following liaisons to departments: Committees: Nicole M. Colson A public hearing having been duly advertised in The Post Star on March 27, 2025 was held April 7, 2025 at 6:40 PM to allow public comment on the proposed 2025/2026 Village Budget. Clerk-Treas Colson summarized the budget for 2025/2026; tax rate is held at $5.93 per thousand, $222 annual water MVC, and $377 sewer MVC, a net decrease of $13 per year.General Fund budget is proposed at $3,501,742 with $52,388 to be appropriated from fund balance. Water budget is $812,422 with $150,000 to be appropriated from fund balance. Sewer budget is $1,020,951 with $150,000 to be appropriated from fund balance. Wage increases include a range of raises to non-Union employee compensation ranging from 2% - 6%; an increase to the Trustee salaries of $500 each; increase to crossing guard payrates of $2.00 - $2.50 per hour; and an increase to the part-time laborer rate of $2.00 per hour. Increases to the Union employees was set by contract at $1.30 per hour. DPW projects proposed include base and blacktop replacement of William St and Westview Dr, storm sewer repairs on Lemont Ave and Hamilton Ave, and sewer distribution work installing and replacing manholes and piping. Equipment purchases proposed include a striping paint machine estimated at $6,000 and a sidewalk plow estimated at $180,000. No reserve contribution was requested in order to offset the cost of the equipment although the purchase of a tandem truck from reserve funds will be considered. Fire Department expenditures include several maintenance items and repairs needed at the Firehouse including renovation of the last bay for a decontamination room. Planned equipment purchases include updating the hydraulic ram, a rescue litter for backwoods rescues, and an underwater drone for the scuba team. A Fire Equipment Reserve contribution of $125,000 is included. Mayor Miller stated the Special Protection contract with the Saratoga County Sheriff Dept is under negotiation with the possibility of reducing current protection levels by eight hours during the week. The Board discussed the fact that the proposed $5.93 per thousand tax rate produces a levy of $1,696,504 which is over the NYS Property Tax Cap limit by $41,417. This is largely due to an increase in taxable assessment of $13.6 million over last years assessment. The Board discussed options of reducing the tax rate and appropriating the $41,417 from fund balance or possibly exceeding the tax cap via legislation. The mayor pointed out that the Village has just begun to negotiate the Fire Protection contract with the Town of Corinth which could impact revenue. The majority of the Board was in favor of overriding the tax cap for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by
Trustee Clark, approved publication in The Post Star of public hearing
to be held April 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM in the Firehouse to consider legislation
to override the tax cap for the 2025/2026 budget. PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS Jim Murray, Center St, questioned details of the Special Protection contract and requested the Sheriff reports include total mileage travelled to ensure the roads are being properly patrolled. Mr. Murray recommended the Board consider putting a visitor center on Main St on one of the vacant properties to promote tourism. Mr. Murray also stated he opposed overriding the tax cap. Mike Woodcock, Pine St, questioned if the reed beds at the WTP are growing and if Palmer Ave will be repaved. The reed beds are flourishing, and Palmer Ave will not be repaved. Mr. Woodcock also commended DPW on the care and maintenance of the roads and sidewalks through the winter season. Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, had questions regarding the tax cap and override process. With no further comments from the public, Mayor Miller closed the public hearing at 7:28 PM. Nicole M. Colson A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 7, 2025 at 7:28 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave. Motion by Trustee Clark,
seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of special meeting March 12, 2025,
regular meeting March 17,2025, and special meeting March 26, 2025 as typed. PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) none. DEPARTMENT REPORTS CLERK-TREASURER Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 4/7/2025 read & filed. Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved payment of abstract #20 in the amount
of: Payroll $44,328.35 (#0912-1913); General $103,914.26 (#0914-0970;
0979-0984); Water $4,818.16 (#0971-0973; 0980-0984); Sewer $9,310.12
(#0969-0970; 0972-0977; 0979-0981; 0983-0984); and Capital Projects $780.00
(#0978). FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Granger was present, report for March 2025 read & filed. DPW/WATER/WWTP Supt Lozier was present, report for March 2025 read & filed. Leaf & brush pick-up has begun. Hydrants will be flushed April 14 18. BUILDING INSPECTOR Insp Hepner was present, report for 4/7/2025 read & filed. A Planning Board meeting will be held Wednesday, April 9th at 5:30 PM in the Village Hall to discuss a new application from Schuyler LLC for proposed apartments on William St. The project was previously approved by the Planning Board several years ago, butthat approval has expired. NEW BUSINESS Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Clark, authorized mayoral signature on engagement letter
with CHS Wealth Management for fiscal year 2024-2025 independent single audit
for $17,900 plus $4,000 for each additional major program. The Board discussed purchase of a Rapid Intervention Kit (RIT-PACK) for the Fire Department. RIT-PACKS are an emergency oxygen apparatus designed to give additional oxygen to a firefighter through the air pack on their gear. Chief Granger stated the goal was to have a pack on each truck, currently the Department has two. Trustee Clark recused himself from the discussion and vote due to his status as a firefighter. Motion by Trustee
Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved purchase of one RIT-PACK off
of NYS contract through MES in the amount of $6,246.95. Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Clark, approved proposal from Atypica for a website upgrade
at a one-time cost of $8,000 with a subsequent hosting cost of $150 per month. Resolution #75 approved, hiring of Adam Vincent as MEO at the starting rate of $25.45 per hour effective April 21, 2025. Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Clark, authorized mayoral signature on contracts with Night
Sky & Santore Fireworks for the July 5, 2025 firework display at a cost of
$9,000 subject to attorney approval. Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Clark, authorized mayoral signature on contracts with Night
Sky & Santore Fireworks for the December 6, 2025 firework display at a cost
of $3,500 subject to attorney approval. The Board discussed the purchase of recognition plaques for firemen. NYS law prohibits the purchase of personal gifts or incentives with taxpayer funds. The Board expressed their desire to honor the firemen but decided to abide by the prohibition against gifts. PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, had questions regarding 122 Pine St and the proposed Schuyler LLC apartment project on William St. Mike Woodcock, Pine St, questioned the legality of purchasing plaques for firefighters. BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS Mayor Miller stated the Sherrif has reported calls during the 4PM 12AM shift are up 11% over 2024; no arrests were made in March; traffic violations are steady, and there were 11 calls to 1 Pine St in March. Mayor Miller requested an executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular individual. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion by Trustee Bedell,
seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, that Board adjourn to executive session as
requested by Mayor Miller above, 7:51 PM. At 8:27 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Trustee Stollery,
seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, that Board adjourn, 8:28 PM. Nicole M. Colson |
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