SEPTEMBER 14, 2004
6:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden R. Meola
R. Gladu
Absent: L. Megow & W. Bothe
Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm.
The Board reviewed Warrant #8 of 2004.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to close the audit meeting at 6:30 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Moment of silence:
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Sandy Rust – asked if the issue of paying school taxes in installments has been addressed.
Councilman Gladu – There has been a discussion on the issue of paying taxes in installments. Mr. Gladu explained that he has started a “Steering Committee” to address these issues.
Mr. Schwarz – In 2003 Hague paid
The school tax rate last year was $11.64 per thousand. This year it went down to $10.64 per thousand, but the tax assessments went up. There is something wrong with the formula. Something urgently needs to be done.
Councilman Meola – Unfortunately we have no say in the school budget as Town Board members. The School sets the tax rate.
Supervisor Belden – Something needs to be done. Hague is paying 52% of the School Budget. We need to start at the State level.
Councilman Gladu – The announcement of the School Steering Committee will be soon. Individuals from surrounding areas will be participating on the committee. In February workshops will begin. Workshops dates will be listed on the Hague Website. Residents also need to start thinking of candidates to serve on the school board. There will be 3 seats on the School Board will be open. State voting requirements also need to be reviewed. The School funding formula is based on Real Property value.
Pam Peterson – The letter that was sent out by Mr. Maxwell and the Assessor was very misleading. It sounded as if there was no increase to our tax amount.
Councilman Meola – Mr. Meola agreed with Mr. Gladu that their should be A ASSOCIATION TO WORK ON CHANGES IN State level.
Cathy Clark – Requested the Board to appoint a committee to
research a proposed noise ordinance for the Town of
Supervisor Belden – He will pick a committee that will consist of 2 members from each Board to serve and review the proposed “Noise Ordinance”.
Bob Patchett – There are enough laws in effect now. Lets to try enforce these before establishing another law.
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 $53,144.95. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept minutes of August 10, 2004 with changes to Resolution #63 of 2004, removing from the body of the resolution the 3rd, 4th, and 5th paragraph. All voting yes. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Assessor & Justice: Councilman Meola reported that 13 small claims and 3 Article 7’s have been processed.
2. Buildings & Grounds: The Highway Dept. will be connecting the Community Center to the Sewer System before winter.
3. Care Program: none.
4. Finance: Councilman Gladu reported that there has been a software study conducted for accounting purposes. Mr. Schaffer has been working with Mr. Gladu on this study. A large number of areas in the accounting program needs manual entry. The purchase modular is not part of the package.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to authorize Councilman Gladu to contact the Admit software vender requesting a refund. All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. Fire Dept.: Mr. Bailey has been working with the Fire Dept. on areas of storm water control.
Chris Swinton, Fire Chief reported that the Fire Tower will be within APA requirements. The County has taken care of all permits for the tower. Phone vendors will check the cell phone coverage for the area. Mr. Swinton also addressed the letter that was sent by Mr. & Mrs. Foster in regards to no response on a EMS call. Mr. Swinton explained that one ambulance was already out when the call came in from Mr. & Mrs. Foster and Ticonderoga was also toned out. Unfortunately there was a shortage of people. The last time this happened was 3 years ago.
Councilman Meola commended the Fire Dept. and Ambulance Squad. They do a tremendous job for the community.
6. Highway: Superintendent Smith reported everything is going well. He will check on the guard rails and pot hole on Streeter Hill.
7. Insurance: None.
8. Museum: Approval of Memorandum of Understanding under Unfinished Business.
9. Personnel: None.
10. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater: Report under New Business.
11. Recreation & Promotion: Councilman Meola commended the work on the new Town of Hague Website. Years ago a brochure was published listing sites of interest in the Town of Hague. This will be put in book form. Possibly it could even be put on the Town’s website. Councilman Meola is also trying to get the Warren County Youth Bureau to extend the biking trails from Lake George to Hague.
12. Sewer Dist. #1: Councilman Gladu mentioned that the Sewer User Local Law #1 of 2002 needs to be adjusted. The ZEO and Councilman Gladu & Megow will send recommendations to the Town Board to start the process.
13. Town Park/Beautification: Councilman Meola reported that the operation at the Park has been a success. Terms and conditions of employment need to be clarified and enforced. The Town Park Ordnance has been enforced. There have been 25 violations issued.
14. Transfer Station: Casella Waste Management has been doing a great job at the Transfer Station. The new Transfer Station sign needs to be fixed and hung properly.
15. Youth: Councilman Meola reported that he is working with LARAC to form a Opera in the Park series for next summer. The Silver Bay Association summer program was very successful.
16. School: Councilman Gladu addressed the need of people to be involved in the School budget process. We need people interested in running for the School Board.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. The Sabbath Day Sand pit is closed. We should be receiving a letter from the state.
2. Motion by R. Meola, and seconded by Supervisor Belden that the Town Board adopts the Clifton West Museum’s Comprehensive Plan and Time line and to also amend the governance to add Richard Strum to the committee. All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. Motion by Supervisor Belden, and seconded by R. Meola to retain Robert McNally for specific Article 7’s. All voting yes. Motion carried.
4. Motioned by R. Gladu, and seconded by R. Meola to accept the recommendations of Lake George Forestry’s Inc. on the Fisher Act property (25.2-1-3). All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. Resolution #65 of 2004
RESOLUTION TO HOLD
PUBLIC HEARING ON REQUIREMENTS FOR “BUILDING HEIGHT”
Resolution
introduced by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague held a public hearing on August 10, 2004 adding an amendment to Chapter 160 of the Town Code a definition of “Building Heights” and
WHEREAS, the Town Board now wishes to address the measurement of “Building Height.” NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board will hold a Public Hearing to hear comments on “Building Height Measurements” October 12, 2004 at 6:15 pm at the Hague Community Center.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola and R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
6. Motion by Supervisor Belden, and seconded by R. Meola to give the Enhancement Committee $300.00 for fall decorations for downtown. All voting yes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS
& PETITIONS:
1. Copies of letters and petition on reducing the speed limit to 45 mph north on Route 9N will be given to the Warren County Traffic Safety Board for their review.
2. Letters received from Forest Bay and Arcady Bay homeowners for sewer extension have been forwarded to Warren County. The County will hire an engineer to do a cost study for both areas of interest. The proposed extensions will have no burden on the existing sewer district.
3. Superintendent Smith will inspect Streeter Hill Road.
4. Resolution #66 of 2004
RECOMMENDED CHANGES OF SEWER RENT
ASSESSMENT
Resolution introduced by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola
RESOLVED, THAT THE FOLLOWING
RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO THE SEWER RENT ASSESSMENT BE APPROVED,
|
Account Number |
Name |
Tax parcel |
Current Rate |
Change |
Rationale |
Total Change |
|
259 |
N Renzi |
43.5-2-25 |
20% - $95.00 |
$0.00 |
unbuildable |
$95.00 |
Duly adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, and R. Meola. Motion carried.
5. Motion by R. Meola, and seconded by Supervisor Belden giving support to Wyatt Peterson in his Ticonderoga High School Government Class Project to clean up Lake George from Island Harbor to Pine Cove. The Town will dispose of the trash that is pick up. All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to grant pending approve to the Wesleyan Church to use the Community Center for services on Sunday from September 2004 to May 2005. The Board will ask for a positive response from the Town Attorney. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu that the deadline for items listed on the monthly agenda will be Friday at noon prior to the meeting date. All voting yes. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
1 The Community Center Bridge contract has been signed.
2. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R.
Meola to authorize the after school activities bus for the 2004-2005 school
year. All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. The Town Board will advertising for the two vacancies on the Board of Assessment Review.
4. Silver Bay Association Community Day is scheduled for 10/09/2004 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
5. A. Graham Bailey, ZEO gave his status report for the month of August.
- 7 land use applications, 1 is incomplete.
- 2 variance
- Reingold matter to be discussed and resolved at the ZBA meeting.
- 2 minor subdivisions
- 2 wastewater permits
- Morgan/Levy in regards to garage location will be discussed at ZBA meeting.
- 2 complaints on unacceptable septic systems.
- Pride from Ticonderoga has picked up 20 junk vehicles. Letters have been sent to individuals who have not cleaned up their property. Next process will be to issue appearance tickets to these individuals.
- 25 parking tickets were issued. Two cases were dismissed and 5 cases were fined $25.00 each. The remaining 18 tickets did not have enough information to process.
6. Resolution #67 of 2004
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING
RESTORATION OF TRAFFIC FINE REVENUE
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R.
GLADU, AND SECONDED BY R. MEOLA.
WHEREAS, Vehicle and Traffic Law, §1803 governs
the disposition of fines and penalties collected in connection with convictions
pursuant to the Vehicle and Traffic Law; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2004,
effective August 20, 2004, changed the distribution of the fines taking them
away from municipalities and placing them in the State Treasury; and
WHEREAS, this change in the fines and penalties
distribution formula will result in a loss to local taxpayers of more than $20
million in fine monies – monies which have historically been used to fund
justice court operations; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague will likely lose
anticipated fine revenues; and
WHEREAS, this State Budget provision with its
immediate effective date will result in significant 2004 deficits and will
negatively impact town property tax rate for 2005; NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague calls for the
restoration of the original fine distribution formula in order to provide towns
with necessary revenues to fund justice court operations; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague urges the
passage of legislation introduced by Senator Bonacic (S.7757) and Assemblyman
Cahill which amends the Vehicle and Traffic Law to restore this source of
revenue to local governments; AND BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent
to the Governor George E. Pataki; Joseph L. Bruno, Majority Leader of the
Senate; Sheldon Silver, Speaker of the Assembly; Senator Elizabeth Little,
Chair of the Local Government Committee; Senator Assemblyman Sweeney, Chair of
the Local Government Committee; Senator Owen Johnson, Chair of the Finance
Committee; Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell Jr., Chair of the Ways and Means
Committee; Senator John A. DeFrancisco, Chair of Judiciary Committee;
Assemblywoman Helene E. Weinstein, Chair Judiciary Committee; and Assemblywoman
Teresa Sayward.
DULY
ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu and R. Meola.
NAYS: None.
Motion carried.
7. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to have Tom Schaffer, Computer Consultant meet with the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the proposed link to the Town of Hague Website and come up with a proposal. All voting yes. Motion carried.
8. Supervisor Belden will set up a meeting with International Paper Company on the NYS Open Space Plan.
9. Resolution #68 of 2004
RESOLUTION
AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT TO LUMP SUM MUNICIPAL SNOW AND ICE AGREEMENT WITH THE
STATE OF NEW YORK
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. GLADU, AND SECONDED BY R. MEOLA.
WHEREAS, by Resolution number 15 of 1991 the Town of Hague entered into a Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement with New York State Department of Transportation, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague is negotiating renewal of the contract with the New York State Department of Transportation, and
WHEREAS, the Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement will pay $3,054.71 per lane mile for 50.5 lane miles of State Roads, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that the Supervisor of the Town of Hague be, and hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver a Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement on behalf of the Town of Hague with the New York State Department of Transportation.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu and R. Meola.
NAYS: None.
Motion carried.
10. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to authorize the municipal employees/Board members to attend the 2nd Annual Lake George Watershed Conference in Lake George. All voting yes. Motion carried.
11. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Linda Benway, DCO/ACO to send application in for “Nuisance Wildlife Control License. Cost is $25.00 for manual and $50.00 for application. All voting yes. Motion carried.
12. Mr. Tom Schaffer gave a presentation on the new Town of Hague website. The web address is: townofhague.org.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 9:00 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk