HAGUE TOWN BOARD
APRIL 13, 2004
6:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Meola, W. Bothe and R. Gladu.
The Board reviewed Warrant # 4 of 2004.
Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm.
Moment of Silence: Elaine Frasier, Marge Burgey, C. Cooper, D. Farinick’s mother, K. Zacheranko’s mother.
Welcome Guest/Privilege of the floor: Hannah Cole asked the Board if anyone has spoken with the Animal/Dog Control Officer in regards to dog tickets being issued to other individuals besides herself for barking dogs. She feels that she is being singled out.
The Animal/Dog Control Officer, Linda Benway stated that there has been other tickets issued to individuals.
Mr. Art Steitz asked the Board what the status was on the old town hall parking lot.
Supervisor Belden stated that the project is underway. The survey map is completed. Mr. Navitsky is working on a streetscape plan.
Mr. Patchett would like an up-date on the Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Gladu is working on the project and will give a report at the next regular meeting.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu for the Board to create a Steering Committee for implementation of the Comprehensive Plan and bring recommendations to the full Board. The Steering Committee will consist of members of Planning, Zoning and Town Board. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Mr. Swanson mentioned that certain tasks have already been addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Waters asked if trailers would be allowed to park in the new parking lots being created in town. The Board will allow no parking of trailers.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by W. Bothe to draw Warrant on Supervisor to pay claims audited at tonight’s meeting:
Warrant #4 of 2004
General:
Highway:
Street Lights:
All voting yes. Motion carried
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to accept minutes of March 9, 2004 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Bid openings on 4X4 Backhoe will be Thursday, March 15, 2004 at 4 pm.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORT:
1. ASSESSOR & JUSTICE Meola/Gladu): No Report.
2. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS (Megow/Bothe) The Computer Consultant, Tom Shaffer has started work on the installation of the computer equipment.
3. CARE PROGRAM (Bothe/Megow) : No Report.
4. FINANCE (Bothe/Meola): The Annual Report is almost completed. Due to no software program, it has been difficult this year in settling the books. Vendors have been at the Community Center showing different software programs. A decision will be made soon on which package to purchase.
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT Bothe/Gladu): There will be a Chicken B.B.Q. at the Fire House following the Memorial Day Parade (May 29, 2004).
6. HIGHWAY (Megow/Bothe): The Highway Dept. has been busy cleaning the roads the State crew will also be helping in the process of cleaning the roads and ditches.
7. INSURANCE (Meola/Gladu): No Report. Issues to be addressed later on agenda.
8. MUSEUM (Meola/Megow): No Report. Issues to be addressed later on agenda
9. PERSONNEL (Bothe/Meola): No Report
10. PLANNING/ZONING/STORMWATER (Gladu/Bothe): Graham Bailey will be on vacation from April 27 – May 17, 2004. If anyone needs a permit application, please try to get one ahead of time.
Councilman Gladu reported that the conference that Mr. Bailey set up was very well attended and informative. Mr. Gladu also reported on the new Image mate online service. This service is free for municipalities. It will give a overall view of wetlands and comparables.
Councilman Bothe responded to the Association of Towns article on Large Wastewater Systems. Mr. Bailey met with the Town Attorney on this matter and at this point in time the Town would not be involved, but it is possible that down the road the Town could be involved in this process.
11. RECREATION & PROMOTION (Gladu/Meola): Flower Basket donations have been coming in. There are 31 baskets. The Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for May 29, 2004 at 2 pm.
Nelson Waters suggested to the Board that the Town spray and try to beautify the area by Rising Hill.
Frank Koenig suggested that the Board amend their Local Law to start a Street Lighting District by Silver Bay Association Road. It is a very dangerous spot for the Fire Department and Ambulance Service.
Supervisor Belden will speak to Mr. Johnson from Niagara Mohawk on the possibility of installing lights down by Silver Bay Association and also contacting residence in the area.
12. SEWER DISTRICT (Belden/Megow): Warren County & O’Toole’s Attorney’s have been meeting to discuss the problems with the pump house on Dodd Hill.
13. SCHOOL (Gladu/Bothe): Councilman Gladu reported that 3 school board members will be retiring this year. Anyone wishing to run for School Board needs to have their petitions filed by April 16, 2004. The School Budget process is under way. The Final Hearing on School Budget will be held in Ticonderoga on May 11, 2004 at 7 pm. Councilman Gladu also was in Albany and spoke with Theresa Sayward on the School Tax Reform. He stressed the need to improve communications and relations with Ticonderoga School Board.
Councilman Meola believes that we need to work with the Ticonderoga School Board on the decreasing the budget.
Councilman Gladu submitted the Tax Assessment Advisor Committee report to the Board members.
14. TOWN PARK (Meola/Gladu): Lakes & Locks have 3 panels havw been installed by the Visitor Center. A report will be given next month of the Life Guard Schedules.
15. TRANSFER STATION (Megow/Bothe): Revenue for the month of March was $2,256.00.
16. YOUTH (Meola/Gladu): Councilman Meola reviewed Mr. Turners proposal for the summer youth program. Children from Hague will be able to attend the Silver Camp at Silver Bay Association for 3 weeks 8:30 am – 11:30 am, 6/28-7/16 2004.
Cornell Cooperative Extension will be sponsoring the Warren County Youth Fair to be held at Warrensburg Fair Grounds. If there is enough interest, the Town will provide transportation.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Councilman Megow reviewed Casella Waste Management proposal.
Mr. David DeFranco would like to know what our tax dollars are being used for and what service does the town provide to our residents. Not accepting yard waste and being open 3 days a week is insufficient.
Councilman Bothe explained that the Town of Hague should not be accepting any yard waste. The building is a transfer station
Mr. Foster asked the Board if the Town could utilize part of the Transfer Station property for yard waste. Supervisor Belden and Councilman Megow will look into different options for yard waste.
Waste oil will be accepted at the town garage.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by W. Bothe to accept Casella Waste proposal. The agreement shall be for one year from the effective date of service and shall be renewed each year for a total of five years. Effective June 1, 2004. Hours of operation:
Summer July – Labor Day) Winter – Labor Day to June 30
Sunday noon to 6pm Sunday noon to 4 pm
Wednesday: 10 to 6 pm Wednesday noon to 4 pm
Saturday 8 to 4 pm Saturday 9 am to 4pm
AYES: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, W. Bothe and R. Meola.
NAYS: R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by W. Bothe to reimburse individuals for Town of Hague Garbage bags. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. The gas tank will be removed from the old school bus parking lot in the next few weeks. Chris Navitsky is working on a landscape plan for the parking lot located by the Baptist Church. Rules & Regulations will be posted at each parking lot.
3. Applications are being accepted for 2 Park Attendants 2004 summer. One Attendant will be on duty for Memorial Day weekend. The job will entail collection of boat slip fees, water and weeding flower baskets and gardens and enforcement of Park Regulations. The Park Attendants will be on a rotating shift. Schedules to be worked out.
3. The Summer in the Park schedule is completed. Posters will be going up soon.
4. Motion by Supervisor Belden seconded by L. Megow to set the rate of pay for the Park Attendants at $7.35/hr. All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. Two proposals were received to sand and refinish the main room floor at the Community Center.
Paul Gauger: $6,200.00
Ernest Waters: $4,200.00
Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by L. Megow to accept Ernie Waters proposal for sand and refinishing the main floor in the Community Center with 3 coats of polyurethane applied. All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by W. Bothe to accept Swift Maintenance proposal to clean and re-stain the Visitor Center in the amount $1,875.00. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to have Ticonderoga Paint and supplies install new carpet in the Town Clerks room. All voting yes. Motion carried.
8. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to accept Virginia Westbrook’s proposal in the amount of $3,000 to guide the museum project, draft the M.O.U. and prepare the final report. All voting yes. Motion carried.
9. Supervisor Belden will order the materials needed to complete the installation of the water well at the Community Center.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by W. Bothe to hold annual Cleanup Day June 7 & 8 of 2004. One standard size pickup truck load free. Items need to be dropped off at the Highway Department from 6 am to 1:30 pm. Pick ups will be available for residents 60 years of age or who are physically handicapped/disabled. Acceptable items which most be sorted are White goods, Furniture, Metal. No refrigerators, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, tires, garbage, C&D or tires will be accepted. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to fund the Counselor position for John Breitenbach Jr. and Michael Michaela for the summer of 2004 through Ticonderoga Youth Summer Program in the amount of $925.00 each. Next year the Board will review the program at budget time. AYES: R. Gladu, W. Bothe and L. Megow. NAYS: Supervisor Belden and R. Meola. Motion carried.
3. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to give permission to hold the Antique Show at the Community Center on July 17 & 18, 2004. All voting yes. Motion carried.
4. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to hire the following individuals as Lifeguards for the summer of 2004:
Andrew Trombley
Kate Pote
Alternate: Kate Bosi
All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by W. Bothe to hire Joan Steitz and Margaret DelSignore as Visitor Center Staff. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Applications will be accepted for an alternate person.
Resolution of Support for the Elimination of the Sunset Provisions of the Local Government Records Management Improvement (LGRMIF) and the Cultural Education Fund (CEF)
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow
WHEREAS, the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund (LGRMIF) in 1989 to provide technical assistance and grants to establish, improve or enhance records management programs in New York’s more than 4300 local governments, and
WHEREAS, the closely related Documentary Heritage Program (DHP) for grants and technical assistance to non-governmental historical records repositories also is supported by the LGRMIF, and
WHEREAS, a sunset date for the LGRMIF was established in the original legislation to permit its operation as a five-year experiment, and
WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature twice has extended the sunset date, most recently to December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF and the programs it supports continue to operate at a high standard of excellence and provide direct and significant benefit to local governments at no cost to the taxpayers, and
WHEREAS, the County of Warren has benefited from technical assistance, training, publications and 81 grants totaling $1,393,342, supported by the LGRMIF, and
WHEREAS, the State Legislature created the closely-related Cultural Education Fund (CEF to support the New York State Archives, New York State Library and New York State Museum on behalf of all New Yorkers, and the Office for Public Broadcasting, and provided the CEF with an identical sunset date, and
WHEREAS, the LGRMIF and the CEF continue to be critically important in the fulfillment of the many records and information related responsibilities of the Town of Hague and to the cultural and scientific needs of the people of New York State, Now Therefore Be It
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague supports the elimination of said sunset provisions in order to make the LGRMIF and the CEF permanent.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, W. Bothe and R. Gladu.
NAYS: None.
Motion carried.
WARRANT FOR COLLECTION OF SEWER USER FEES FOR THE YEAR 2004
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow
RESOLVED, that the Warrant amount to be collected of Sewer User Fee’s for the Town of Hague District #1 be:
Sewer Fee’s Coll. Period 4/1 - 7/31, 2004 270 EDU’s $128,250.00 to be collected.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow
RESOLVED, that Deborah F. Manning is appointed Marriage Officer for a term to expire 12/31/2004. All voting yes. Motion carried.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
Resolution introduced by Supervisor Belden, and seconded by W. Bothe
RESOLUTION TO HOLD A PARADE IN THE TOWN OF HAGUE
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague authorize a Memorial Day Parade to be held in the Town of Hague on Saturday, May 29, 2004 as authorized by Article 41, Section 1660 of the NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
10. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by W. Bothe to have Imagemate Online Service available in the ZEO & Assessors office. This service is free to municipalities. All voting yes. Motion carried.
11. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to appoint Supervisor Belden as contact person for the new proposed Bed Tax. All voting yes. Motion carried.
12. The Assessor is aware of the May 15, 2004 filing of the financial disclosure.
13. AFLAC insurance will be distributing information to employees.
14. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 9:25 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk