HAGUE TOWN BOARD

AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING

March 8, 2005

6:00 PM

 

 

Members present:  Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, and 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.

Pledge Allegiance

Moment of Silence:  Leonard Corlew.

 

Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:  Cathy Clark thanked the Highway Dept. for being responsive in helping her when her car went off the road on Overbrook. 

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to pay Warrant #3 of 2005 in the amount of $79,964.56.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to approve minutes of 02/08/2005 as printed.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

 

  1. ASSESSOR & JUSTICE (Gladu/Meola):  Councilman Gladu reported that the Assessor is working at maintaining a 100% equalization rate.  Senator Little is sponsoring Bill #2846 Amending Real Property Tax Law.  Part of the bill is to freeze the assessment of property for seniors over 70 years of age.

     There is a tax reform group of property owners in Ulster County that are working on putting more pressure on Albany to change property taxes as the basis of school funding.  Jeff Haber from Association of Towns sent a draft resolution.  Councilman Gladu would like to see Ticonderoga Town Board and our Town Board send resolutions of the same nature to Albany. 

    Councilman Gladu will draft a letter with the Town Board’s views and recommendations to this proposed bill.
     
    Councilmen Meola & Megow met with Mr. Turner, Executive Director of Silver Bay Association, to review and negotiate the renewing of the 5-year assessment agreement with SBA in which they have been paying money in lieu of taxes. Silver Bay Association has come back with a proposal, which needs to be discussed among the Board in executive session.

    Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to enter into executive session at the end of the regular agenda to discuss Silver Bay Associations proposal.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

2.         BUILDINGS & GROUNDS (Megow/Patchett):  Councilman Megow reported that there have been a few contractors who have stopped at the Community Center to reviewing the water runoff problem and mold problem in the basement.  At this time, we are just asking for an estimate to eliminate the water run off problem in the basement.

 

Supervisor Belden explained that there is also a problem underneath the Community Center Building that needs correcting before the tile in the lobby and bathrooms is installed.  Mr. George Farinick will compile a report on what needs to be done. The contractors who have submitted a bid for tile will be contacted.

3.         CARE PROGRAM  (Patchett/Megow):  Councilman Patchett received a report from Sheryl Bailey.  The care program is running well.  She is hopeful that there will be more participation from younger people.  The hours of operation are Thursday 1 pm to 2 pm.  She is in need of shelving and an access ramp. 

 

4.         FINANCE (Megow/Meola):  Supervisor Belden reported that the Annual Report is completed for 2004.  The Justice books need to be reviewed.

 

Councilman Gladu reported that the financial software should be up and running by April 1, 2005.

           

5.         FIRE DEPARTMENT (Gladu/Patchett):  Councilman Gladu reported that there is still no decision on the tower.  The Department possibly might purchase property from N. Waters by the cemetery.  The Fire Department will issue the Town a financial statement soon. 

 

  1. HIGHWAY DEPT.  (Megow/Gladu):  Councilman Megow addressed the Board on the plowing of Overbrook Road West.  The copy of the deed from Colozzi’s shows that this is a private Road.
    Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Meola to rescind motion of February 8, 2005 to continue to plow and maintain Over Brook Road West.  Notification will be sent to all property owners of Over Brook West Road stating that the Town will not maintain private property. AYES:  L. Megow, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett and Supervisor Belden.  Motion carried.

 

 

7.         INSURANCE (Meola/Gladu):  Councilman Meola reported that the request for insurance coverage was sent out to three agencies.  The contract for insurance ends May 1, 2005.

 

8.         MUSEUM  (Meola/Megow):  Councilman Meola updated the Board on the progress of the Clifton West Museum extension.  Mr. Jones, Architect submitted, plans on the new museum extension.  The Museum Committee requested that Mr. Jones enlarge the space, which could be utilized for additional storage.

 

9.         PERSONNEL (Meola/Patchett):  No report.

 

10.       PLANNING/ZONING/STORMWATER (Gladu/Patchett):  Councilman Gladu thanked Mr. Costello for filling-in for Mr. Bailey ZEO during his vacation.  Congratulations to Tim Costello on receiving his BA from Plattsburg State.  Wilen’s subdivision was approved by the Planning Board with restrictions.  There will be a public hearing scheduled on Dougherty request.

 

11.       RECREATION & PROMOTION (Gladu/Patchett):  Councilman Gladu reported that the Hague Winter Weekend was a success. 

 

12.       SEWER (Belden/Megow): Supervisor Belden reported that there have been freeze ups of lines on Streeter Hill.  The problem is being corrected.  The County will cut down the dead pine tree by the pump station.

 

13.       TOWN PARK (Meola/Gladu):  No report.

 

14.       TRANSFER STATION (Megow/Patchett): Councilman Megow reported that Casella Waste would accept yard waste at $25.00 per yard.  Lesser amounts will be prorated.

 

15.       YOUTH (Meola/Gladu):  Councilman Meola reported on the Warren County Youth Bureau meeting he attended.  A survey was conducted by students on substance abuse among the students.  The Youth Bureau also publishes a newspaper.  A conference on Youth Leadership will be conducted at ACC on March 31, 2005 for any interested Warren County Youths.  The guidance counselor and teachers in Ticonderoga have been forwarded the information for Hague students.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

1.         Certificate of Completion was issued on the Small Cities Grant 49HR182-02.

 

2.         The Clifton West Hague Museum By-Laws were reviewed by the Town Board and found acceptable.

 

3.         The Board reviewed the Enhancement Committee’s recommendation not to allow any sign in the triangle.  The signs should be moved over by the bridge.  The Board agrees, but possible rules and regulations should be put into place for organizations.  Notification should be given to the Board prior to the erecting of the sign.  Limitation of size.  The Board will look into building a sandwich board holder for signs in an Adirondack setting.

 

4.         There will be no action taken for the bids for tile in the main lobby at the Community Center.  All vendors will be notified.

 

5.         Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by L. Megow to appoint John Brown as Clerk to the Planning Board.  Term to expire 12/31/2005.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.         Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to accept Nelson Waters resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals effective 4/1/2005 with regret.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to approve the following staff for the 2005 summer season:

            Life Guards: Borce Kukunoski, Marian Cuetanoski, and Peter Christenberry

Park Attendants: Joe McCranels

Visitor Center:              Joan Stetiz and Michele Bissell

All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

3.         There have been numerous complaints in regards to snowmobiles driving over the groomed cross-country ski trails at the campsite.  Tom Lapointe addressed the Board on this issue.  He explained that the snowmobiles have been using Rogers Rock for access on and off the lake.  Possibly, there can be a road designated for snowmobiles for this purpose.  Supervisor Belden will meet with Tom and review the situation.

 

4.         Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to authorize Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, D. Viscardi, and D. Trudeau to attend the Association of Towns conference in New York from 2/13 – 2/16 of 2005.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

5.         RESOLUTION #38 of 2005

 

DESIGNATE POLLING PLACE IN THE TOWN OF HAGUE

 

Resolution introduced by R. Patchett, and seconded by L. Megow.

 

 

WHEREAS,   pursuant to Article 4-104 of the New York State Election Law, the Town Board of the Town of Hague must submit to the Warren County Board of Elections a listing of the polling place in the Town of Hague in each Election District in which Elections may be held. Now therefore be it

 

RESOLVED that the following location be and hereby is designated as the respective polling place in the Sole District:

HAGUE COMMUNITY CENTER

9793 Graphite Mountain Road

Hague, NY  12836

 

And that such location is accessible to the physically handicapped voter, pursuant to Article 4-104.1a of the Election Law and be it further

 

RESOLVED,  that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Warren County Board of Elections.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.          

 

6.  RESOLUTION #39 of 2005       

RESOLUTION TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2005.

A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND SEWER USE LOCAL LAW #3 OF 2002 .

 

Resolution introduced by L. Megow, and seconded by R. Patchett.

 

 

RESOLVED,  that the Town Board of the Town of Hague shall hold a public hearing on Amendments to the Sewer User Local Law #3 of 2002.  Said public hearing to be held on the 14th day of April 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Hague Community Center, and be it further

 

RESOLVED,  that the Town Clerk is hereby directed to post and publish notice of said hearing as required by law.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

7.         The April regular meeting of the Town Board will be held on the Thursday the 14th.  Audit meeting at 5:30 pm, Public Hearing on amendments to Sewer Use Law at 6:00 pm and Regular meeting at 6:30 pm.

 

8.         The Board thanked Mr. Gladu for writing the State of the Town Report.

 

Motion by R. Patchett, seconded by L. Megow to publish the State of the Town Report on the website, Hague Chronicle and make copies available to the public.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

The Board went into executive session at 8:15 pm.

 

The Board discussed Silver bay Associations proposal in lieu of taxes.  The Board will set up a meeting with the Association.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to return to open meeting at 8:30 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Cathy Clark asked the Town Board to consider holding the Free Clean-Up Day on a weekday this year.  Most people are working and have no time to dispose of the items.

 

Supervisor Belden will contact the Highway Department to see if they can schedule one person to working on the Saturday before Memorial Day to oversee this.  Senior pick up will be scheduled for the Friday before Memorial Day.

 

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 8:35 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Deborah F. Manning

Town Clerk