Village Board Minutes

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held August 20, 2025 at 6:10 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, and Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Bedell was excused.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved minutes of August 6, 2025 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

SPECIFIC REQUESTS

Mayor Miller informed the public of recent incidents involving vandalism and other destructive or harassing behaviors by juveniles in the Village.  Mayor Miller stated there are many activities in the area that offer the youth opportunities for recreation without destructive behavior.  The mayor introduced Captain Jeffrey O’Connor of the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department who addressed the public regarding the law enforcement response to the issues.

Captain O’Connor runs the patrol division for the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department and informed the public the Department is currently not at full staff and covers 862 square miles which can delay response times.  The current contract with the Village provides a Deputy dedicated to covering the Village eight hours per day, six days a week.  Recently patrols in the Village have been increased beyond the contracted amount to address juvenile issues.  Patrols are attempting to address issues with operation of motorbikes and bicyclists not following Traffic Law by making contact with operators and their parents to educate them about the rules.  In the Vehicles and Traffic Law parents can be issued citations for underaged operators.  For infractions such as vandalism, disorderly conduct and harassment there is no authority within the Penal Law to issue citations to the parents and NYS has raised the minimum age for arrest of the juveniles.  These changes have been implemented at the State level tying the hands of law enforcement and prosecutors in dealing with minors under a certain age.

The following residents & community leaders addressed the Board & Captain O’Connor:

 

John Fiore, Walnut St

Suzette Murphy, Palmer Ave

Diana Buehler, Overlook Dr

Ron Ogden, Overlook Dr

Theresa Fiore, Walnut St

Marty Cenek, Lemont Ave

Rickey DiLorenzo, Liberty St

Dave Roberts, W. Mechanic St

Jarrett Stark, Walnut St

Lorraine Tefft, Youth Commission

Katrina Slimmer, Ash St

Jamie Daniels, William St

Vicki Phillips, W. Mechanic St

Justin Daniels, Lemont Ave

Kendra Scheiber, Overlook Dr

Brian Dumas

Kristen Lyng, Hack Rd.

Ernie Wester, Corinth Methodist Church

Howard Hughes, SGF

Jim Murray, Center St

Bonnie Potter, Heath St

Mike Buehler, Overlook Dr

Alison Clark, W. Mechanic St

Laurie DeLong, Hudson River Mill Museum

Katie Leberman, Hamilton Ave

Barbara Champagne, Sherman Ave

Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St

Louise Carney, CtyRte 10

John Tangora, Wall St

Dee Nolet, Lincoln Mt Rd

Terry Cleveland, Cleveland Brothers

Randy Winslow, Main St

Jim Robbins, Main St

Willie Bovee, Pine St

Marilyn Alby, Harris Rd

Maureen Kelly, Hudson River Mill Museum

Members of the public present reported additional acts of theft, harassment and vandalism.  The public asked questions regarding how to react when confronted by the perpetrators & what methods of supervision can be enacted to control the behavior.  Captain O’Connor explained that taking pictures or video are encouraged to help identify individuals, but disorderly conduct must occur in a Deputy’s presence for a citation to be issued.  Individuals have the option of initiating a “citizen’s arrest” which would require them to detain the offender until they could be turned over to law enforcement.  The captain also encouraged persons witnessing the incidents to call either 9-1-1 or the non-emergency Sheriff’s number to report the incident.  The Sheriff’s Department is attempting to locate individuals and discuss incidents with their parents, but the Department is unable to refer the children to probation or social services.  PINS applications (persons in need of supervision) can be filed by schools for referral to the probation department. Contacting State legislators and the governor was encouraged to change or amend laws regarding handling of youth crime.   Members of the public encouraged creation of committees with the School, Village and Town representatives to address the ongoing issues with the Sheriff’s Department.   Representatives from the Mill Museum and Churches also requested to be included in any committee addressing the situation.  The public requested the Village consider options to increase the current level of dedicated protection offered by the Sheriff’s Contract, consider implementing a Village Police Force (even if only for the summer months) or enlisting volunteer groups to patrol the Village.  Community based actions such as increased youth programs, mentorship and youth peer-based justice court programs were suggested.  It was also suggested the Corinth Library consider changing the wi-fi password daily and only giving it to library patrons to discourage loitering near the library.  The public suggested having yearbooks in patrol cars to identify perpetrators, and more community based proactive policing of the Village.  Installation of security cameras in the Village was discussed, including seeking possible Department of Homeland Security grants for cameras.  The Board is currently in the process of developing bid specifications for camera system installation.  The Village has also changed the hours of the curfew for children under the age of 18 between the hours of 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM, the Sheriff’s Department has confirmed they will enforce the new curfew hours.   

At 9:03PM the Board took a brief recess and reconvened at 9:11PM.

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 8/20/2025 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved payment of abstract #5 in the amount of: Payroll  $48,287.38 (#0198); General $39,131.41 (#0199-0224; 0233-0237); Water $1,797.83 (#0225-0226; 0231-0233) and Sewer $27,022.35 (#0227-0235; 0238-0239).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #17 approved, budget transfers.

Clerk-Treas Colson informed the Board that the public hearing held for the 2025 CDBG application did not have the new State required language in the notice.  The Village is being given the opportunity to correct the error by having a second public hearing.

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved publication of a public hearing to apply for a 2025 CDBG grant to be held October 1, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.
Carried – 3 – 0

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Granger was excused.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was excused.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was excused, report for 8/20/2025 filed.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #18 approved, re-appointment of Maureen Kelly to ZBA for term to expire September 2028.

Resolution #19 approved, hire Matthew J. Sprague as PT Seasonal DPW employee as of 8/11/2025 at $18.50 per hour.

The Board discussed difficulties with obtaining an easement from 21 Heath Street for sidewalk reconstruction as part of the Heath St/Hill Ave project proposed to begin in 2026.  In order to apply for grant funds the Village must have an easement on the property.   The Board consensus was if an easement could not be obtained the Village would not replace that portion of the sidewalk as part of the project.

Resolution #20 approved, submission of grant application for 2025 New York State Water Infrastructure Improvement Act for the Heath St/Hill Ave/Main St/Sherman Ave project.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Kirchhoff, seconded by Trustee Stollery, that Board adjourn, 9:24 PM.         
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk - Treasurer