Village Board Minutes

November 5, 2025 (30)

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held November 5, 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, Trustee Clark & Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Kirchhoff was excused.

Motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved minutes of October 15, 2025 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

Michael Murray, Town resident, wrote the Board suggesting a skate park in the Village.  The Board consensus was it is not feasible at this time due to expense and liability but may consider it in the future. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY)

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, and Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, asked questions regarding the skate park suggestion.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 11/5/2025 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Stollery, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved payment of abstract #10 in the amount of: Payroll $46,545.67 (#0401-0403); General $173,907.60 ( #0404-0460; 0482-0489); Water $5,857.39 (#0461-0463; 0480-0482; 0483-0485; 0488-0489) ; Sewer $15,800.53 (#0459; 0464-0480; 0482-0489); and Capital Projects $1,543.42 (#0481).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #33 approved, budget transfers.

Park attendants reported just under 4,000 visitors in Pagenstecher Park during attended hours over the season.

Clerk-Treas Colson advised the Board to delay the $125,000 contribution to the Fire Department Equipment Reserve until later in the fiscal year due to significant cuts to the Village’s projected revenue.  The Board agreed to hold the contribution until more data regarding actual expenses and revenue are available.

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

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

Leaf & brush collection is winding down and all buildings at the Parks and Beach have been winterized.

Mayor Miller thanked the DPW for the replacement of sidewalks on Seventh St and mentioned people accessing the DPW garage property.  Supt Lozier will get estimates of the cost of installing a fence with automatic gates for Board consideration.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 11/5/2025 read & filed.

Insp Hepner and Atty Buettner discussed the necessity of a court order to condemn a property in order for the Sheriff’s Department to enforce the order.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #34 approved, authorizing mayoral signature on all applicable documents for application for NY Forward Grant funds.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, authorize mayoral signature on contract with Robert J. Miller & Associates to submit a NYS Forward grant; $8,900.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved mayoral signature on a proposal from Penflex to administer the Firefighter LOSAP program and provide audit materials for an estimated fee of $8,150.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved mayoral signature on a contract with Smartt Software, LLC for IT services at a cost of $450 per month.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved mayoral signature on towing contract amendment extending contract with Interstate Towing through December 31, 2027.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved advertisement in The Post Star of a public hearing to be held November 19, 2025 at 6PM in the Firehouse to discuss amendments to the Vehicle & Traffic Law Chapter 467 to remove all schedules.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, approved attendance by Insp Hepner at Northern Adirondack Educational Conference in Lake Placid, March 2-5, 2026; $485 plus lodging and expenses.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved participation ina NYCOM webinar series for all interested Planning & Zoning Board members up to $65 per person.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Clark, declared the 2007 MT-5 Sidewalk Plow with snowblower to be surplus and authorized sale through Auctions International.
Carried – 3 – 0

The mayor reminded everyone that the calendar for reserving the Firehouse Community Room is kept at the Village Hall.  All requests for use by the public, Board, community organizations, firemen and Firemen’s Association must be on the Village Hall calendar.

The Board discussed utilizing Park Attendants at the Village Beach next season to monitor that rules and restrictions are being obeyed taking responsibility off lifeguards to monitor on-land activity.

The Board discussed potential amendments to the current Saratoga County Sheriff Special Protection contract.  Trustee Bedell recused himself from the discussion as an employee of the Sheriff’s Department.  Board consensus was to leave the current Protection contract in place as is and revisit coverage increases next year.

The Board discussed the section of the Village Garbage Code that requires all toters be removed from the curb by 8:00 PM on the day of collection and the applicable penalties of a fine not more than $250 or by imprisonment for no more than 15 days, or both.  Toters left at the curb cause traffic issues and make it difficult for DPW to clear snow effectively.  The Board instructed Clerk-Treas Colson to include notifications in the water/sewer billing to remind people of the Code and encourage compliance before violation tickets are issued.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, had questions regarding the Village Garbage Code and suggested a community campaign to encourage compliance.

Jim Bovee, White St, commended DPW on the restoration of the Seventh St sidewalks but stated people are still parking on the sidewalk.  Mr. Bovee also noted garbage toters and abandoned items left on the sidewalk.  Mayor Miller acknowledged the issue and stated the Village will work on enforcement.

Jennifer Kietzman, Pine St, expressed appreciation for the new benches at the Reservoir Property.   Ms. Kietzmann asked about linking the Curtis Preserve to the Reservoir Property through access to Lyme Timber lands and potentially approaching Jason Kemper for advice.  Mayor Miller stated he will be gathering information from Saratoga Plan regarding options and implications for review by the Board.  Ms. Kietzman also asked the Board to consider updating the Comprehensive Master Plan to address more housing and development issues in the Village.

Jim Murray, Center St, expressed satisfaction with the compromise on the Town Fire Protection contract and encouraged the Village Board to work with the Town and School Boards for the betterment of the community.

Jason Petrovitch, Pine St, asked about the Village’s return on investments since the Comptroller’s audit found deficiencies.  Clerk-Treas Colson explained the types of accounts the Village is utilizing to maximize return on investments including high-yield clearing accounts and NYCLASS investment opportunities.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Clark asked Supt Lozier about taking steps to keep Pagenstecher Park roads from becoming rutted over the winter.  Trustee Clark & Mayor Miller also updated the Board on the pending proposal for surveillance cameras which are expected to cost approximately $95,000 but may be implemented in zones.

Mayor Miller stated he will be continuing discussions with the Sheriff regarding motorized bicycles.  The mayor also detailed plans for the Hometown Christmas celebration including the parade and fireworks.  The mayor is coordinating with other holiday events in the Village for a full schedule.  Trustee Stollery requested any parade participants try to avoid having Santa characters on floats as Santa will be participating in the events.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, that board adjourn, 7:11 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer