August 6, 2025 (13)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

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

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, approved minutes of July 16, 2025 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 4 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Jim Murray, Center St, commented on dirt bikers seen on Palmer Ave with no helmets.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 8/6/2025 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved payment of abstract #4 in the amount of: Payroll $49,235.88 ( #0136-0137); General $81,672.61 (#0139-0179; 0189; 0191-0197); Water $6,107.01 ) #0180-0182; 0189; 0191-0193; 0195-0196); Sewer $52,3567.57 (#0183-0188; 0191-0197); and Capital Projects $114,180.00 (#0190).
Carried – 4 - 0

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Granger was present, report for July 2025 read & filed.

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

Supt Lozier stated William St rebuild is nearly complete, DPW will move on to Westview Dr next.  The new water/service connection on Lemont Ave has been completed as well.Mayor Miller thanked the DPW for the cleanup of a mess left at the Beach and behind the library.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 8/6/2025 read & filed.

Insp Hepner stated property owners at the Center St/Mechanic St intersection have trimmed brush to increase visibility at the intersection.  The mayor asked about the encroachment on Palmer Ave railroad tracks; Insp Hepner has notified IP representatives of the issue.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Hudson River Mill Museum submitted a special event application to hold a “Touch A Truck” event in Pagenstecher Park August 16, 2025, 3:00 – 5:00PM.  They have requested the back gate be open during the event and that the Village provide access to the bathrooms, power outlets and trash cans.  All trash will be removed by the Museum volunteers at the conclusion of the event.An insurance certificate has been submitted, and a hold harmless agreement will be signed.  The event will feature food trucks that will comply with vendor permit requirements.

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved the special event application as presented for the Hudson River Mill Museum “Touch a Truck” event August 16, 2025 in Pagenstecher Park.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed spending up to $397,512.26 from the DPW Equipment Reserves to purchase a tandem, side dump plow truck from Gabrielli Truck Sales off the Sourcewell contract.  The reserve purchase is subject to permissive referendum.

Resolution #16 approved, expenditure of up to $397,512.26 from the DPW Equipment Reserve for a tandem, side dump plow truck from Gabrielli Truck Sales off the Sourcewell contract subject to permissive referendum.

The Board discussed ongoing issues with motorized vehicles in the Village and acknowledged memo by Atty Buettner on electric bike and scooter regulations.  Mayor Miller announced a special presentation at the August 20 Board meeting with attendance by the Saratoga County Sheriff representatives to allow public questions and comments on the ongoing juvenile incidents in the Village.

The Board discussed contracts with members of the Fire Department to provide administrative services.  Trustee Bedell stated he preferred to contract with the Fireman’s Association to provide the services and leave the distribution of duties and payments to the Association.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved mayoral signature on Independent Contractor Agreements with Fire Department members.
Carried – 4 – 0

The Board discussed results of the recent Casella audit of recycling toters in the Village.  Approximately half of the toters examined contained proper recyclable materials, the other half were either completely filled with garbage or contaminated by trash.  The Board discussed methods to promote more compliance with recycling guidelines including increasing education on what is recyclable and clearly marking toters with a sticker or decal to denote recycling toters.  The Board also discussed the limit of three toters per unit which was enacted by Village Code in 2023 and how to handle properties that currently have more than three toters per unit due to purchases made prior to amendment of the Code.  Atty Buettner will research and submit a legal opinion on retroactively limiting toters and the Board will draft communication for the residents.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Murray, Center St, expressed doubts that Casella is always sorting the trash from the recycling during collection.  Mr. Murray also stated that youth issues should be addressed with the parents of the children to reduce incidents at the school and in the Village.

John Tangora, Wall St, questioned how recycling benefits the amount the Village pays for the garbage contract and requested any notifications sent to owners of property also be sent to the tenants.  Mr. Tangora also commented the Village should dissolve the Fire Department and let a Fire District be formed to solve issues with negotiating the Town Protection contract and stated the Village should have dissolved in the last dissolution vote.

Jason Petrovitch, Pine St, asked if the curfew of 9:00PM for children under 18 is no enforceable; yes, it has been filed with NYS.

Derek Briner, Barbara McDonald Dr, suggested Casella be included in the Mill Museum’s “Touch a Truck” event to promote recycling education.

William Welmaker, Pine St, commented on youth issues and asked the mayor to respond to his sewer line complaint.

Dee Nolet, Lincoln Mt Rd, commented on the youth issues.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Mayor Miller stated the July Sheriff’s report showed 85 service calls for the month during special protection hours, there were 82 for the same period in 2024.  Overall calls for all shifts numbered 201 in 2025 and 158 in 2024.  The mayor informed the public the Village Beach would be closed the remainder of the season after discovering the lifeguards CPR credentials have expired.

The Board discussed potentially selling the former PD building on Mill St.  Atty Buettner will get quotes for an appraiser to determine fair market value, and the Board can consider relocating stored equipmentand declaring the property surplus.

Trustee Bedell spoke about the Town Fire Protection contract negotiations clarifying that the Village does not have the authority to create a Fire District.  Trustee Bedell stated the goal is for the Town to pay their fair share for fire protection given the Town has more miles to cover, there are more calls in the Town than the Village, and much of the equipment is used for Town coverage.  The Village also carries all liability for the Department and covers all costs associated that are not specifically in Fire Dept budget line items, such as water usage and administration costs.  Trustee Bedell commented he is not in favor of dissolving the Fire Department and feels the amount the Village is requesting is a fair amount.

At 7:38 PM Trustee Stollery was excused.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kirchhoff, that Board adjourn, 7:39 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer