HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2005
6:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett.
Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm.
The Town Board reviewed General & Highway claims.
Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm.
Moment of Silence: Harold Hoffay, Arthur Anisanel and Florence Lee.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor: Bruce Clark asked the Board if the $25,000 borrowed from General for the Sewer has been paid back and has the punch list items been reviewed and problems corrected?
Supervisor Belden stated that the money collected from unpaid sewer rent would be put back in General Fund. The County is handling the punch list items.
Art Belden questioned the Towns policy on plowing churches. No one notified him that this was not going to be done. The Town has always plowed the churches for the community.
Cathy Clark questioned why the Town Highway Dept. stopped plowing Overbrook Extension. The Town has paved the road and has always utilized it for years to maintain the water.
Councilman Megow explained that it was mandated by State Law that public funds cannot be used for private use; consequently, the town cannot plow church parking lots or private roads. The Town cannot plow the churches or private roads.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Meola to pay Warrant #1 of 2005 in the amount of $51,678.44. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to approve minutes of 11/16/2004; 12/14/2004; 12/20/2004; 1/4/2005 as printed.
AYES: R. Meola and L. Megow.
NAYS: Supervisor Belden and R. Gladu.
ABSTAIN: R. Patchett.
Motion denied.
Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu that the minutes of 11/16/2004 meeting read as written except that item 4 be amended to read ”Mr. Bailey, ZEO may take the month of February 2005 off but will receive pay for 1 week out of the four. Mr. Gladu and Mr. Costello will be in charge of the office during his absence, unless other arrangements are made. This is a one-time event; it does not set a precedent. Minutes of 12/14/2004; 12/20/2004; 1/4/2005 and 11/16/2004 are approved as printed with the above changes to 11/16/2004.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett.
NAYS: R. Meola.
Motion carried.
Bid openings: Item 4, bank run & sand.
The Town Clerk read notice of publication in the Post Star 12/12/2004.
One bid was received from Pat Armstrong.
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Patchett to accept Pat Armstrong’s bid for the year 2005.
Item 4: $4.25
Sifted Sand: $2.50
Bank run: $1.75
All voting yes. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ASSESSOR & JUSTICE (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu reported that the equalization rate would stay level for this year.
The town has received a letter from the NYS Office of Real Property Services stating that due to the Town of Hague providing fair assessments and high standards for assessment administration the Town will receive $8,255 in state aid for qualifying for the State Quality Assessment Program.
2. BUILDING & GROUNDS (Megow/Patchett): Councilman Megow reported that the boiler has been running better. All of the blow off valves should be replaced. He will mention this to Stevenson’s when they come up to service the boiler.
3. CARE PROGRAM (Patchett/Megow): No report.
4. FINANCE (Megow/Meola): There is a meeting scheduled 1/18/2005 to review the new RDA Accounting program.
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT (Gladu/Patchett): No report.
6. HIGHWAY DEPT. (Megow/Gladu): Discussion on the town roads and the use of salt ensued the poor quality of road maintenance so far this winter and high amounts of salt used is of great concern to the public and the Town Board.
7. INSURANCE (Meola/Gladu): Councilman Meola reported that the Town would be requesting proposals for insurance for the next 3-year cycle, effective 5/1/2005.
8. MUSEUM (Meola/Megow): Councilman Meola updated the Board on the progress of the Clifton West Museum extension. Mr. Jones, Architect recommended that the extension should be put on the side of the Community Center building instead of the back of the Community Center as first proposed. The museum by-laws are almost complete.
9. PERSONNEL (Meola/Patchett): Councilman Meola and Patchett will be working on the updating of the Employee’s Guide.
10. PLANNING/ZONING/STORMWATER (Gladu/Patchett): Councilman Gladu reported that the ZEO & committee are looking into ways of making the meetings of the ZBA & Planning Boards more efficient.
The ZEO, ZBA & Planning Board will be working to identify parts of the zoning code that have been proven difficult to enforce.
Councilman Meola reported that he and Councilman Megow are meeting with Mr. Costello, Mr. Bailey and Mr. Viscardi to modify the Sewer Use Law.
A training session is being planned with the Department of State and APA for the benefit of our Planning and ZBA members.
There will be a Public Information Meeting on the sediment pond when the maps are completed.
There have been quite a few items that have been completed in the Comprehensive Plan
11. RECREATION & PROMOTION (Gladu/Patchett): Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to give permission to the Chamber of Commerce to use the Community Center 8/5 – 8/7 2005 for the Arts & Crafts Fair. All voting yes. Motion carried.
The Cross County Ski trails at Rogers Rock have been groomed; a sign-up board has been placed for visitors. The State has asked the Town to push back banks during heavy snowstorms.
The Board agreed to the request of the Winter Carnival Committee for the Highway Department to bring snow to the Park if it were necessary for the snow sculpture contest.
Hague Winter Weekend will be held 2/18 – 2/20 2005.
12. SEWER (Belden/Megow): The manholes have been insulated. The building is almost complete.
13. TOWN PARK (Meola/Gladu): The Committee has been working on staff for the summer.
14. TRANSFER STATION (Megow/Patchett): Scott Olsen, Manager of Casella Waste will accept yard waste at $25.00 per yard. Lesser amounts will be prorated.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign service contract with Casella Waste, effective February 1, 2005 to add yard waste to the list of items the Transfer Station will accept. All voting yes. Motion carried.
15. YOUTH (Meola/Gladu): The Opera in the Park grant application was not approved. Performance date and performers were not provided. Summer Recreation & Cultural Program was approved by the Youth Bureau for 2005.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. The 2-hr. call-in is still being reviewed. Councilman Megow & Gladu will meet with highway staff for discussion.
2. Pat Armstrong awarded bid. Approved under bid openings.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. A letter has been received from the NYSORPS. The Town of Hague has been awarded the Excellence in Equity Award for providing fair assessments and meeting high standards for assessment administration. State Law requires all properties in each municipality to be assessed fairly based on market value, each year. The Town of Hague has done this.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Chamber request approved under Recreation & Promotion.
2. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign agreement with the Town of Ticonderoga for the Youth Program for 2005. All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. RESOLUTION #36 OF 2005
RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH WARREN COUNTY FOR SNOW, ICE & SWEEPING REMOVAL,
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, AND SECONDED BY L. Megow.
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague plows and sands 9.02 miles of County Roads in the Town of Hague for snow & ice control, and
WHEREAS, the current agreement expires on December 31, 2004, and
WHEREAS, a renewal of this agreement has been negotiated with Warren County and will commence on January 1, 2005 and terminate December 31, 2005, and
WHEREAS, the new agreement will include snow & ice control and sweeping and removal of salt & sand, and
WHEREAS, the County of Warren will pay the Town of Hague based on the attached rate schedule in January of 2004, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with the County of Warren for Snow & Ice Control on the paved County Roads in the Town of Hague for fiscal year January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
4. The ZBA and Planning Board should select their own Deputy and bring their recommendations to the Town Board.
5. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Patchett to lease a Ford Truck for $208.00/month for 35 months. All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by L. Megow that any Board member wishing to go to Local Government Day in Saranac Lake, March 24 & 25 of 2005 has authorization. All voting yes. Motion carried.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
1. Supervisor Belden reported that Warren County will pay $55,000 and the Town will pay $25,000 for the repair to the retaining wall work on Holman Hill.
2. Councilman Gladu has drafted the State of the Town 2004 letter. It will be published on the web and in The Hague Chronicle. The Board will review the draft and finalize the document in the near future.
3. The Board will review the ledgers of the Town Clerk and Justice by January 20, 2005.
Motion by R. Patchett, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 8:35 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk