HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 9, 2004
6:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow and R. Gladu.
Absent: W. Bothe.
The Board reviewed Warrant #3 of 2004. A purchase order for propane was held out due to the cost of propane.
Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm.
Moment of Silence: Joan Dillon, Herb Wilen, Lewis Simmons, Lollie Armes, Dick Rottier & Del Bullock.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor: Ms. Virginia Westbrook addressed the Board on developing a Comprehensive Plan for the Clifton West Museum. The Plan will address expansion, the collection and the staffing with a curator. She will provide the Board with a proposal to work with a committee.
Judy Stock would like the Board to wait on signing the contract allowing Casella Waste to manage the transfer Station for 30 days. This will allow more public input from Town residents.
Nelson Waters addressed the Board on his concerns dealing with the operation of the Town Park and the salary of the Highway Superintendent.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to draw Warrant on Supervisor to pay General and Highway Claims:
Warrant #3
General
Highway
St. Lights
All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Meola to accept minutes of 2/10, 2/26 and 3/2 of 2004 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Assessor & Justice(Meola/Gladu): The new proposed revaluations were sent out this week.
The process is as follows:
Mail outs
Meeting with property owners over assessments complaints.
May 1st Tentative Roll
Grievance Day May 25, 2004 - Board of Assessment Review
Small Claims
Article 78
2. Buildings & Grounds (Megow/Bothe): None.
3. Care Program (Gladu/Meola): Mrs. Sheryl Bailey, Care Program Director will be distributing information to the churches and schools and organizations on encouraging families or individuals to join. The pantry will be open every Thursday from 1-2 pm.
4. Finance (Megow/Meola): Councilman Gladu and Megow will work on the phone system. It has been brought to their attention that people would like to reach individual offices without having to go through the front office. This would free up the front office.
5. Fire Dept. (Bothe/Gladu): The Fire Dept. has been fortunate another to attend training courses offered in Hague.
6. Highway (Megow/Bothe): None.
7. Museum (Meola/Megow): None.
8. Personnel (Bothe/Meola): The finalizing the summer employment is almost completed. Councilman Meola will give his report next month.
9. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Bothe): Graham Bailey, ZEO has organized a Zoning Workshop for contractors, engineers and residents to review the new zoning and permit process. The workshop is scheduled for March 31, 2004 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Hague Community Center. He distributed copies of revised variance forms for ZBA comments and approval. He hopes to begin using these forms by April 1, 2004.
Three release forms have been sent out for enforcement of the Junk Law. Pride still has money available for removal of junk cars. The Zoning Board of Appeals held a preliminary hearing on Turnamian. They will review the variance and a public hearing is scheduled for March 25 along with a public hearing on, Reingolds, stop work order which will remain open until next month in order for the ZBA to review the material presented.
10. Recreation & Promotion (Gladu/Meola): Supervisor Belden mentioned the new 4% Bed Tax that will take effect this year. The Town should make between $25,000 to $30,000 on this new tax. This money will be utilized toward the website and Memorial Parade.
There still is a stormwater problem on Pine Orchard Road. The Highway Superintendent will research the problem.
11. Sewer Dist #1 (Belden/Megow): William Lamy will be here in two weeks to discuss the problems that have occurred at the Sewer Plant this winter and come up with solutions to correct the problems. There has been broken lines, test coming back from the DOH not passing.
12. Town Park (Meola/Gladu): A report will be ready next month on the status of Life Guards and Park Attendants.
13. Transfer Station ((Megow/Bothe): The revenue for the month of February was $2,500.00.
14. Youth (Meola/Gladu): Councilman Meola met with Mr. Turner, Director of Silver Bay Association on March 10, 2004. Mr. Turner will put together a proposal for a youth summer program.
15. School (Gladu/Bothe): Councilman Gladu informed the Board that there will be 3 openings on the School Board this year. Petitions need to be filed by April 16, 2003. The School Budget process is underway. School Budget Meetings will be scheduled. The vote on the Budget will be May 18, 2004.
.
Councilman Gladu met with Theresa Sayward in Albany to discuss the School tax issues.
Councilman Gladu believes we need to improve relations with the school board.
Councilman Meola stated that we need to encourage the School Board to cut back on spending during the Budget process..
Councilman Gladu will have the School tax Relief Committee’s report by the next regular meeting. get a copy to the Board by the next meeting.
1. Councilman Meola recommended that the Highway Superintendent be given special consideration to retain health insurance since he was a long time employee prior to elective office.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by Supervisor Belden effective April 1, 2004 an Elected Official who held an appointed position for 15 years of uninterrupted service as a full time employee immediately prior to his taking Elective Office will retain Health Insurance coverage he had as a full time employee. The Town Board retains the right to adjust percent of coverage in the future. AYES: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Meola. Abstain: R. Gladu. Motion carried.
This applies specifically to the present Highway Superintendent, Donald Smith.
2. RESOULTION 46 of 2004
SEWER USER FEE BILLING FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, SECONDED BY R. Gladu.
RESOLVED, that for new construction the billings for the sewer user fee shall be for the full amount providing that the hookup permit is issued by and including June 1st of the year in question. If the hookup permit is issued after June 1st billing for the sewer user fee will become effective on January 1st of the following year.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. Supervisor Belden and Councilman Megow will meet with Scott Olsen, Casella Waste to review the new proposal before bring it to the Board for consideration.
4. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by L. Megow to draw up Spec’s for the bidding of a new backhoe. All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. The process of meeting with vendors for a new software program for the front office will continue tomorrow.
6. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to accept Thomas Schaffer’s proposal for installation of computer equipment in the amount of $32,000.00. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. There are approximately 16 to 18 families in Town that are eligible for the Sewer hook-up grant through Warren County Planning Dept.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to approve Earlene Steger as Assistant Care Program Officer for 2004. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. Supervisor Belden will contact the cable company for line extension of Dodd Hill road.
3. Mr. Bailey, ZEO has clarified the permit process with new forms with instruction sheets. There will be a workshop at the Hague Community Center March 31, 2004 from 9 am to 4 pm.
4. Attorney Dominick Viscardi will be meeting with Mr. Bailey to discuss the requirements and procedures of larger wastewater treatment systems.
5. The Town Park Committee will get proposals on painting the Visitor Center.
6. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept Verizons request to install anchor and guy pole on Dock Road. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to give permission to Sheryl Bailey to attend Local Governments Day in Saranac. All voting yes. Motion carried.
8. Supervisor Belden will get prices to refinish the floor in the main room at the Community Center.
9. A permit will be needed from outside vendors, along with copy of insurance.
10. Ticonderoga Paint will send a proposal for installing new carpet at the Community Center.
11. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to adjourn meeting at 9:15 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk