TOWN BOARD
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 16, 2005
5:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden R. Meola
R. Gladu R. Patchett
Absent: L. Megow
Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 5:00 pm to review Warrant #8 of 2005.
Moment of Silence: Gus Getta.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Judy Stock, Hague Chronicle: The Chronicle was never informed of three special meetings that were held this month. The Board explained to Judy that the meetings were posted.
George Ianson, ZBA member asked the Board if they have received an opinion on whether it is a conflict of interest for Mr. Clark to be on the ZBA and Mrs. Clark as ZEO.
Nelson Waters mentioned, for the record, that Alison Craig resigned her position as Planning Board member due to a conflict with her Real Estate business and Katy Allen was not given the position of Planning Board member due to her husband being on the same Board.
The Board is waiting for a legal opinion from the Town Attorney.
Councilman Meola just spoke with the Town Attorney and Mr. Viscardi, who had been advised by Supervisor Belden to wait for a letter from Rich Kelly of Warren County Personnel and the County Attorney. Supervisor Belden will contact Mr. Kelly.
Mr. Phil Smith, representative for the Forest Bay Property Owners Assoc. introduced himself and addressed the Town Board in support of the extension of the sewer district to the North.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to draw warrant on Supervisor to pay claims in the amount of $19,121.86.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to approve minutes of 6/16, 7/12, 7/25, 7/29, and 8/2 of 2005 as printed.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu spoke with the Ticonderoga Assessor and reviewed their 2005 assessments. On a year-to-year basis, the overall assessment went up 15% and 10% in Hague. The School Tax Rate for 2005-2006 for Hague is $9.66 per thousand. Ticonderoga’s School Tax Rate is $9.91 per thousand.
There are two outstanding cases involving the Junk Law.
On August 10, 2005 the special Town Attorney Robert McNally, filed a motion to dismiss complaint with Judge Krogmann in regards to an Article 7 filed by Mr. & Mrs. Brennan’s Attorney Joseph Brennan due to a timely appraisal not being filed.
Attorney Joseph Brennan is also the Attorney for Mr. Levy who filed an Article 7 in July 2005 stating that his assessment of 314,000 on property 76.20-1-23 is over assessed by 278,400.
2. Buildings & Grounds (Megow/Patchett): Work has been completed in the Community Center basement.
3. Care program (Patchett/Megow): Councilman Patchett stressed that any one in need please apply to the program. Judy Stock mentioned that with summer residents getting ready to leave, possibly they have extra food to donate. She will write a notice in the Hague Chronicle.
4. Finance (Megow/Meola): No report.
5. Fire Department (Gladu/Patchett): No report. Councilman Gladu will be attending the Board of Directors meeting next week.
6. Highway (Megow/Gladu): Supervisor Belden mentioned that if we are going to stay in the State Snow and Ice contract we need to sit down and discuss the contract and ask for an increase.
7. Insurance (Meola/Gladu): The Highway Superintendent has completed the work on the replacement cost of the vehicles for the insurance company.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to increase the premium replacement cost to the Highway Vehicles in the amount of $1,500.00. This will insurer them to present value.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
8. Museum & Historian (Meola/Megow): Councilman Meola reported on the Museum Extension Fundraiser set for September 4, 2005 at View Point between the hours of 5 pm to 8 pm. Donations are $40.00 per person.
The design for the museum is in a state of transition. The committee will be meeting at the end of the month.
9. Personnel (Meola/Patchett): Councilman Meola is working with Warren County to schedule a training session for Town Employees in October.
10. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Patchett): Councilman Gladu and the Board welcomed Cathy Clark as the new ZEO.
There were two public hearing on major subdivisions held in August. The Ragot property in Cape Cod and the Beneduce property on Dodd Hill Road. Both hearings were left open for 30 days.
11. Recreation & Promotion (Gladu/Patchett): The Arts & Craft Fair was well attended. The Town Garage sale also went well. It is something to continue and advertise better. The Hague Chamber of Commerce held their mixer at the View restaurant.
12. Sewer (Belden/Megow): The County Engineer will be getting back to the Town on the figures of where we stand with the extension to the sewer district. Tests were conducted both south and north of the hamlet. Only one extension will be completed. There is not enough money to complete both extensions.
13. Town Park (Meola/Gladu): Everything is going well. The Park Attendants, Visitor Center Staff and Lifeguards have done a great job. Several Notice of Violations have been issued.
14. Transfer Station (Megow/Patchett): No report.
15. Youth (Meola/Gladu): Stan Burdick will be at the Park August 17, 2005 at 7 pm for Square Dancing in the park.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Two candidates were interviewed for the position of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Trainee.
The Board thanked Michael Fitzgerald for an outstanding job as WTOP Trainee.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept the Personnel Committee recommendation to appoint William O’Leary as WTPO Trainee effective 9/1/2005 at 10.50 per hr. Terms and conditions of employment are spelled out in 8/5/2005 Personnel Committee memo. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
2. Lights: Lengthily discussion on the decorative streetlights. It was decided that the Town Board and the Enhancement committee will meet with manufacturers representatives to resolve the issue.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. Letter of appreciation was received from Gerald Van Heest.
1. RESOLUTION # 56 OF 2005
RESOLUTION SEWER USER EDU CHANGES
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, and seconded by R. Gladu.
Resolved, that the following changes be made to the Sewer Warrant for the year 2005:
|
Account # |
Name |
Tax Map
|
EDU Change from |
EDU Change To |
Rational |
Amount |
|
322 |
Julie Cook |
43.13-1-51 |
20% |
1 EDU |
House is connected |
$400.00 |
|
184 |
Sheri & Cris Ginn Old Fire House |
43.5-1-3 |
1 |
20% |
The building is under construction |
-$360.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, and R. Patchett.
Motion carried.
2. Petition on Property Taxes in New York State. Councilman Gladu read the petition he prepared to be sent to the Governor, Senate and Assembly. He asked the Town Board to endorse the cover letter and petition. Councilman Meola while agreeing with the spirit and intent of the petition felt that it was a distraction, our efforts should be directed toward containing costs, especially when it comes to school budgets.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by Supervisor Belden to endorse petition on Property Taxes in NYS. AYES: Supervisor Belden and R. Gladu. NAYS: R. Meola and R. Patchett. Motion denied.
3. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to contract with Wel-Dun Inc. to install UV system for the treatment of the water system at the Visitor Center. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
4. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to contract with Ticonderoga Central School District for transportation of seniors to Ticonderoga on a weekly basis beginning 9/3/2005 at $140.00 per trip. AYES: R. Meola, R. Patchett, R. Gladu and supervisor Belden. Motion carried.
5. RESOLUTION #57 OF 2005
RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2005 HIGHWAY BUDGET
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. MEOLA, SECONDED BY R. PATCHETT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board amend the Town Budget for fiscal year 2005 by decreasing Highway Item III Equipment Rental DA0 5130.410 by $2500 and increasing Highway Item III DA0 5140-400 Misc. Brush & Weeds.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Patchett, and R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
1. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett to accept with regrets Catherine Clarks resignation from the Planning Board effective 8/16/2005.
2. Councilman Gladu gave his report of his presentation to the Commission on Alternatives to School Property Taxes. Copies are available from the Town Clerk.
3. Sales Tax Discussion. Supervisor Belden reported on the recent discussion on sales tax distribution. He anticipates that the Town of Hague will receive a lower amount this year since Queensbury will be getting a greater amount since its equalization has gone up to 100%. Both Councilman Gladu and Meola were reassured that sales tax distribution will continue to be based on assessments.
4. The Kiwanis Club of Ticonderoga gave a donation of $1,000 to the Town of Hague. The Kiwanis Club will await a letter from the Town stating their intent of the use of the money. Supervisor Belden will write a letter of thanks to the Kiwanis Club and the Board will review different areas of the Town where the money could be used.
5. RESOLUTION #58 OF 2005
Clarification of Sales Tax Revenue for the Town of Hague
Resolution introduced by R. Meola and, seconded by R. Patchett.
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague adopted Resolution #20 of 1994 directing the County of Warren to pay $300,000 in sales tax revenues to the Town of Hague to off set the tax levied upon real properties, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague adopted Resolution #73 of 2004 to increase the towns share of sales tax to be applied to the County Budget in the amount of $200,000 for the fiscal year 2005, and
WHEREAS, It was the desire of the Town Board only to appropriate the additional $200,000 for the 2005 fiscal year, Now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that Resolution #73 of 2004 will not apply in 2006 or future years, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of the Town of Hague is hereby directed, to immediately forward a certified copy of this resolution to Warren County Administrative and Fiscal Services and the Warren County Treasurer.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Patchett, and R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
6. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to approve the placing of an additional sign as requested by the residents o Lakeshore Hills Drive.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, and R. Patchett. Motion carried.
7. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Patchett not to contribute funds to the Adirondack Balloon Festival as per request of 8/14/2005 letter from Walter Grishkot.
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Patchett and R. Gladu. Motion carried.
8. RESOLUTION #59 of 2005
Resolution to install two (2) speed limit signs on Carney Point Drive
Resolution introduced by R. Gladu, and seconded by R. Patchett.
WHEREAS, a petition was received on June 12, 2005 containing 18 signatures from property owners of Carney Point Drive requesting that two (2) twenty five mile per hour speed signs be installed on Carney Point Drive. Now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Hague accepts the petition and hereby requests that the New York State Department of Transportation install and maintain two (2) 25 mph signs on Carney Point Drive in accordance with the Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 1622.1 and conforming to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices of the Department of Transportation, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of said resolution be sent to the County Superintendent of Public Works and to the Department of Transportation.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Patchett and R. Meola.
Motion carried.
Supervisor Belden reported on his recent trip to the Lost Colony Outdoor Drama Theater in North Carolina. A similar facility is planned for Lake Luzerne in 2007. Theme will be “Last of the Mohicans”.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 7:11 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk