HAGUE TOWN BOARD

AUDIT  &

REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 11, 2004

6:00 pm

 

Members present: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, L. Megow                  

 

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

 

The Board reviewed Warrant #11 of 2004.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to close the audit meeting at 6:15 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

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Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm

Supervisor Belden opened the regular meeting at 6:30 pm

Pledge to the flag.

RESOLUTION No. 75 OF 2004

 

RESOLUTION HONORING ETHEL W. ANDRUS

 

RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY THE ENTIRE HAGUE TOWN BOARD

 

WHEREAS,   ETHEL W. ANDRUS with keen insight anticipated the need to assist the

                        homebound, and

 

WHEREAS,   ETHEL W. ANDRUS whose research ascertained the need to support the elderly with a hot & nutritious meal, and

 

WHEREAS,   ETHEL W. ANDRUS approached the Hague Town Board in early 1993 to initiate the delivery of a home delivered meal service, and

 

WHEREAS,  ETHEL W. ANDRUS with her unstinting efforts initiated the home meal delivery service better known around here as MEALS ON WHEELS, and

 

WHEREAS,   ETHEL W. ANDRUS our first volunteer meals driver delivered the initial meal in June 1994, and

 

WHEREAS,  ETHEL W. ANDRUS volunteered her time without regard to cost in her labors to get the meals delivered, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

 

RESOLVED, that a plaque be placed in honor of ETHEL W. ANDRUS in the Senior Room in the Hague Community Center in grateful appreciation for the past 10 years of  her dedicated selfless service.

 

DULY ADOPTED BY UNANIMOUS VOTE:

MESSIEURS BELDEN, MEOLA, MEGOW, AND GLADU

 

Moment of Silence: 

 

Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:  None.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to draw Warrant on Supervisor to pay bills audited at tonight’s meeting in the amount of $93,883.29.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to accept minutes of October 12, 14, 19, 28 and Nov. 4 of 2004 as printed. All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

1.         Assessor & Justice:  Councilman Gladu and David Martucci reported that the school tax bills for 2004-2005 had to be corrected due to $16,507,450 not entered on the tax assessment rolls.  This resulted in $165,784.32 in taxes collected by the Ticonderoga School District.  The Ticonderoga School District has agreed to refund this amount to the Hague Taxpayers during the 2005-2006 taxes.

 

2.         Buildings & Grounds:  No report.

 

3.         Care Program:  No report.

 

4.         Finance:  Councilman Meola mentioned that the Budget for 2005 was passed on October 28, 2004.  There will be no Town Tax this year and $500,000 of sales tax money has been applied to the County, which will help lower the County tax.    

 

5.         Fire Dept.:  No report.

 

6.         Highway:  No report.

 

7.         Insurance: No report.

 

8.         Museum:  Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Meola to advertise for an Architect for the Museum Expansion project.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

9.         Personnel:  No report.

 

10.       Planning/Zoning/Storm water: Councilman Gladu reported that Mr. Bailey could not make tonight’s meeting due to a conference on wetlands.  Councilman Gladu, Meola and Mr. Bailey have been working on the update of the Sewer User Law. 

 

11.       Recreation & Promotion:   No report.

 

12.       Sewer Dist. #1:  Supervisor Belden reported that the County will be advertising for a Engineer to project a plan for  possible line extensions  north of Hague and south of Cape Cod

 

13.       Town Park/Beautification:  No report. 

 

14.       Transfer Station:  Scott Olsen of Casella Waste was called to come up with a plan and cost for disposal yard waste. 

 

15.       Youth:  No report.

 

16.       School:  Councilman Gladu reported that  John McDonald, Superintendent of Schools responded back to the Town Boards letter of October 13, 2004.  Mr. McDonald will be pulling information for him to try and help us understand the School Budget for next year.  Mr. Meola read from several letters to the Town Board asking for action on reducing school taxes.  Mr. Meola said that the shrinking of the school budget can be achieved by reducing the schools share of the health insurance costs, increasing class size, out sourcing transportation, etc.

 

            UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

1.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to appoint Cathy Clark to the vacated Town Board position until 12/31/2005. 

 

AYES:  R. Meola and L. Megow.

NAYS:  Supervisor Belden and R. Gladu.

Motion denied.

 

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to appoint Tom LaPointe to the vacated Town Board position until 12/31/2005. 

 

AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu.

NAYS:  R. Meola and L. Megow.

Motion denied.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to wait and let the people decide at the November 2005 election who will be elected to the vacant Town Council position.

AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow and R. Gladu.

NAYS:  None.

Motion carried.

           

The members of the Board thanked both candidates.  They felt both individuals were very qualified for the position of Town Council.  This was a very difficult situation.  We just wished that the resignation of Mr. Bothe was sent in earlier in order for the people to decided their candidate.

 

Both candidates thanked the members of the Board and the public for their consideration and support.

 

2.        Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to extend the Sewer Connection to 5/31/2005.  Anyone not connected by this date will be charged a $200.00 connection fee.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

           

3.         Councilman Gladu updated the Board on the Admit Computer Software.  The company will be sending the Town back a partial refund.  RDA representatives will be here next week to do a demo on their software.             

 

 

4.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign the agreement between the Town of Hague and the Baptist ChurchAll voting yes.  Motion carried..       

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.         RESOLUTION #74 OF 2004

LAKE GEORGE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE”

 

Resolution introduced by R. Gladu and seconded by R. Meola.

 

 

WHEREAS,   the environmental health and overall quality of life in the Lake George Watershed area is critical to the social and economic well being of the Town of Hague, Warren County, and the region in general, and

 

WHEREAS,   the protection, preservation and proper management of water quality within the basin is an essential ingredient to maintaining this revered natural resource as a key to the social and economic vitality of this region, and

 

WHEREAS,   the Town of Hague has been an active participant in developing the critically important water quality management plan, and

 

WHEREAS,   the adopted document, entitled “Lake George—Plan for the Future” identifies numerous recommendations and actions as being critical to pursing the objectives of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the water quality throughout the Basin, several of which will require the engagement of contract services to execute these recommendations, and

 

WHEREAS,   the State has recently awarded a grant in the amount of $250,000 to the Town of Bolton, on behalf of all participating municipalities in the Lake George Watershed Basin, that carries with it the requirement of a local match, which will take the form of services in kind, as well as matching funds, and

 

WHEREAS,   the Town of Hague wishes to contribute its fair share, along with other municipalities throughout the Basin to this critically important program to be able to take advantage of the aforementioned State funding, Now, therefore be it

 

RESOLVED,  that the Town of Hague confirms it shall provide an amount of $7,000.00   to this endeavor, which funds will be forwarded to the Village of Lake George, administrator for this particular grant program.

 

DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

AYES:   Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, and L. Megow.   

 

2.         The LGA sent a letter, dated October 25, 2004 requesting to do drainage work on Forest Bay Road.  The Board would like more clarification on this project.  Councilman Megow will contact Ms. Julie Martin, LGA to obtain additional information.

 

3.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept Fazioli Appraisal Services proposal for a full appraisal of their Cartwright property at Friends Point and the William Brennan property on Route 9N.  Each appraisal will carry a flat fee of $300.00.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

4.         Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by L. Megow to approve the Hague Senior Citizens request for the use of the Visitor Center on December 2-4 of 2004 for the Hague Holiday weekend.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

5.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to approve the Hague Chamber of Commerce request for $750.00 to be used for advertising the 4th Annual Holiday in Hague event.  The money will be taken from the bed tax fund for promoting of tourism.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

6.         Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Gladu that the Hague Community Center Offices will be closed on November 26, 2004.  All employees will be allowed to use vacation or personnel time to compensate for closure.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

SUPERVISOR REPORTS:

 

1.         The Christmas party at the Hague Community Center is scheduled for December 4, 2004.  Help is needed for decorating of the main room.  There will be a decorating party scheduled for November 20, 2004 at 9:00 am. 

 

2.         Karen Laundree updated everyone on the Hague Holiday weekend.  Six shops will be opened on Dec. 4 & 5.   There will be a wreath decoration contest for organizations or individuals.

 

 

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 7:20 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Deborah F. Manning

Town Clerk