HAGUE TOWN BOARD

AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING

DECEMBER 14, 2004

6:00 PM

 

Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm.

 

Members present:  Supervisor Belden, R. Meola and R. Gladu.

 

Absent:  L. Megow.

 

The Board reviewed Warrant #12 of 2004.

 

Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm.

 

Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Moment of Silence:  Winston Disbrow, Emma Werschky, Steve Olsen, and Adolph Contreni.

 

Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:  Mr. Joe McCranels addressed the Board on the Hague Park.  He thought it would be beneficial for the Town if the Visitor Center personnel kept a log of activities daily.  The record would be very useful for scheduling personnel for the following year.  Mr. McCranel's also asked if the Board was going to continue with the grooming of Rogers Rock for cross-country skiing.  He would also like to see if DEC will install a trailhead registry.

Supervisor Belden will meet with Mr. McCranels and call DEC.  David Snow has agreed to groom the trail.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to pay Warrant #12 of 2004 in the amount of $65,535.63.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Councilman Meola reviewed the provision in the procurement policy, which states that purchase orders must be signed by the appropriate official before they are issued.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept the minutes of 11/11 and 11/16 of 2004 as printed.

 

Discussion:  Councilman Gladu had issues with item four in the November 16 minutes.  He does not believe that the Board agreed not to pay the ZEO for the month in February when he will be away. 

This is a personnel issue and the Personnel Committee should review the policy in the Employee Manual as it applies to salaried part time employees.

 

Councilman Meola stated that the ZEO should not be paid for the month he is not working. 

 

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to accept minutes of November 16, 2004 with amendments to item 4 (remove without pay) and refer this issue back to the personnel committee. 

AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu

NAYS:  R. Meola

Motion denied.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to approve minutes of November 11 of 2004 as printed.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

1.         ASSESSOR & JUSTICE:    Councilman Meola reported that this summer 13 appearance tickets were issued to individuals by the ZEO for various Park Ordinance violations. Six of these appearance tickets were dismissed by the Judge due to lack of visibility of signs. Councilman Meola has discussed with Judge Knott what changes in the signage would be necessary in order to comply.  Arrangements are being made to post more visible signs.

 

Councilman Gladu reported that he has sat down with a member of the Post Star to try to make them aware of the problems in regards to assessments and real property taxes.  

 

2.         BUILDINGS & GROUNDS:  The sewer pump has been installed at the Community Center.

 

3.         CARE PROGRAM: 

 

4.          FINANCE: 

 

5.         FIRE DEPT.:  Councilman Gladu has been working with John Barber on intergrading the Fire Dept. schedule on to the Town of Hague website. 

 

6.         HIGHWAY:  Superintendent Don Smith thanked the Fire Dept. for all their help with flushing out the culverts.

 

7.         INSURANCE:

 

8.         MUSEUM:  The Board of Trustees are developing a set of by-laws for the governance of the West Museum.

 

9.         PERSONNEL:  Councilman Gladu has been reviewing the Employees Manual for possible changes.

 

10.       PLANNING/ZONING/STORM WATER:  The ZEO gave his report.

            2 – land use

            1- Variance

            2- subdivisions

Hague Fire House still needs a variance due to 20% coverage of property.

 

The definition of Junk still needs to be addressed.  The Local Law does not make revisions for individuals trying to sell a vehicle along with other items that need to be addressed.

 

The enforcement of the law has been going well.  Most individuals have been making a good faith effort.  Three of the individuals are having problems due to income.  We need to find different avenues to try to help.

 

The Adirondack Park Agency has approved the Height Definition For the town of Hague.

 

Dept. of State training session will be scheduled late March.

 

Councilman Meola quoted inserts from the Town Board meeting of 6/16/2004 with Dominick Viscardi on the Junk Law.  The law has been defined, we need to enforce it.  The issue of enforcement will be addressed at another meeting with the Town Attorney present.

 

Supervisor Belden thanked Chris Navitsky for all of his help in writing the grant for the parking lots.

 

11.       RECREATION & PROMOTION:

 

12.       SEWER:  The EPA has approved funds for the installation for the pump house.

 

13        PARK & BEAUTIFICATION:  Councilman Meola reported on the Enhancement Committee meeting.  The Committee reviewed past and present goals.

 

Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to have Diane Farinick & Carol Pittman takes over the decorating of downtown year round and allows them to form a committee of volunteers.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Mr. Patchett questioned the use of Bed Tax money for decorations.  Supervisor Belden has already checked into this and it is allowed.

 

Councilman Meola reported that there will be a letter sent out to individuals who have not hooked up to the sewer.  A fee will be charged to all individuals not hooked up by May 30, 2005 as provided for in the Sewer Use Law.

 

14.       YOUTH:  Councilman Meola reported that the Youth Bureau in Glens Falls will be sponsoring a training session on March 21, 2005 at ACC.

 

Alice Patchett asked if the Town could speak to Silver Bay Association on the possibility of an open gym night for basketball.

 

15.       SCHOOL:   Councilman Gladu is continuing working on the issues relating to the  school taxes. 

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign agreement with Convenient Medical Care for the following services:

Urine Drug Screen                  $53.00 per employee

Alcohol Breath testing            $21.00  per employee

This agreement shall be in effect from 1/1/05 to 12/31/05.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2.         Motion by Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign the 2005 Senior Transport agreement with Warren – Hamilton CAA in the amount of $2,100.00 for the year 2005.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

3.         The Board discussed the 2-hour call-in for the Highway Dept.  The Board would like a letter from the Highway Department explaining their rationale on why they want the 2-hour call-in done away with.

 

4.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to hire Jones Associates as the architect for the Hague Museum Expansion Program.  The Board will contract with Mr. Jones for the 1st phase of the contract in the amount of $4,500.00.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

5.         Due to the Town using Time Warner as their host, the Chamber would not be compatible with Lake George.com and other sites that use search engines through Mannix Marketing.

Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to rescind motion made 11/11/2004 for the Hague Chamber of Commerce to hire Tom Schaffer as computer consultant to help up grade the web-site and link into the Town website and accept the new proposal to use Mannix Marketing as the Chamber web site host and retain the services of their present web site coordinator for maintenance in the amount of $2,300.  The money will be allocated out of the Occupancy tax money.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

6.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to giver permission to the Chamber of Commerce to use the Community Center & Visitor Center and also help them get the skating rink liner out for Winter Weekend (2/18-2/19).  The request for $2,000 is also approved for promotion of the Winter Weekend. All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

 

1.         The Associations of Towns sent a letter stating that the fine money from the local courts has been restored back to the Town.

 

2.         Lee Masquelier sent a letter to DOT asking for a reduction in speed limit around Island Harbour.

 

3.         Time Warner Cable has announced an increase in rates.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.

GENERATOR MAINTENANCE BIDS

 

Southworth Milton, Inc.

Kraftpower

Atlantic-Detroit Diesel

Kinsley Power

TOTAL

$2,687.00

$1,540.00

$3,830

$2,200.00

           

 

            Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to accept Kraftpowers proposal in the amount of $1,540 to service Highway, Sewer District & Community Center generators.  Each department will be assessed their share of the service contract.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2.         The Board will contact Lynn Schumann of Lake George Conservancy to set up a meeting to discuss the purchase of land downtown Hague.

 

3.         The Associations of Towns Conference in NYC is scheduled for Feb. 20-23 of 2005. 

 

4.         The End of the Year Meeting will be held on 12/30/2004.

 

5.         The Organizational Meeting is scheduled for January 4, 2005 at 6:30 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

6.         Supervisor Belden reported that 27 test have been taken for the new well water.  Only 1 test has not passed.  It is recommended that a Ultraviolet light be installed.

7.

Quotes on UV Light with Parts

 

Bloodgett Supply

J.E. Sawyer & Co.

Total Quotes

$969.69

$1,142.14

 

            Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to accept Blodgett Supplies bid of $969.69 for ultra violet light and parts for the water well at Community Center.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

8.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize the Town Clerk to send notice to the paper asking for sealed bids for Item 4, sifted sand and bank run per yard.  Sealed bids will be accepted until 1/4/2005.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

9.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to appoint Robert Patchett to the vacancy on the Town Board effective immediately – 12/31/2005.

                  AYES:  Supervisor Belden and R. Meola

                  ABSTAIN:  R. Gladu.

                  Motion not carried.

 

 

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 8:54 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Deborah F. Manning

Town Clerk