TOWN BOARD

REGULAR AUDIT & TOWN BOARD MEETING

SEPTEMBER 13, 2005

6:00 pm

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

AUDIT MEETING:

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

The Board reviewed Warrant #9 of 2005.

REGULAR MEETING:

Supervisor Belden opened the regular meeting at 6:30 pm.

Moment of Silence: Ron Grasier, Pastor Buchanan’s son, Andrew Shelton, Dr. Lee Miller and Jackie Badger.

Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor: Art Hatfield reported that the Kiwanis Dinner held at the Methodist Church in Ticonderoga was very well supported by the Hague community. He also read a letter that was sent to the Town Board from the Kiwanis Club of Ticonderoga. The Kiwanis Club donated $1,000 to the Town of Hague to be used per the Kiwanis approval of the project. On August 18, 2005, the Board sent a letter thanking the Kiwanis Club but did not address their intent for the money. Supervisor Belden explained that the Board will send the Kiwanis Club a letter stating their intent after reviewing and finalizing different alternatives of use.

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to pay bills audited at tonight’s meeting in the amount of $99,831.40. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to approve minutes of August 16, 2005 with amendment to include Kiwanis Club Donation of $1,000 and thanking Michael Fitzgerald for a good job as WTPT. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:

1. Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu reported that to date he has received 125 signatures to his petition on Tax Reform. He stressed the need of the Assessment committee to stay pro-active with Ticonderoga.

2. Buildings & Grounds (Megow/Patchett): Councilman Megow will put together a report for replacement of stairs, ramps and eves at the Community Center.

3. Care program (Patchett/Megow): Councilman Patchett reported that the Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 1 pm to 2 pm.

4. Finance (Megow/Meola): The Budget process will begin soon.

5. Fire Department (Gladu/Patchett): No report.

6. Highway (Megow/Gladu): Superintendent Smith reported that the Highway Department has been working on side roads to prepare them before winter.

7. Insurance (Meola/Gladu): The increase to the equipment has been submitted to the Insurance Company.

8. Museum & Historian (Meola/Megow): Councilman Meola reported that 75 to 90 people attended the Museum Fund Raiser at View Point on September 4. Approximately $7,000 was raised. Additional fundraisers will be conducted in the spring. The proposal for the new Clifton West Museum should be completed within a few months. Tentatively the building might be a stand-alone log house. There have been discussions on where to purchase the building. Councilman Patchett mentioned that at one time there was a proposed drawing of the museum on the Legion Property.

9. Personnel (Meola/Patchett): Councilman Meola mentioned that in 1996 the NYS Dept. of Labor inspected the Town Buildings and the town was fined for not having a Hazardous Communication Plan. The Town complied, appointed a coordinator, and held Right to Know Meetings. During the past few years, this once again has been ignored. Councilman Meola will work on a plan to have this reinstated.

10. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Patchett): The ZEO, Cathy Clark reported on the following:

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Patchett to give permission to the ZEO to attend the Needs Assessment meeting in Warren County 9/19, Bolton 9/20 and also attend the Federation Conference in Saratoga on Oct. 10 & 11 of 2005. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Patchett, L. Megow and R. Meola. Motion carried.

11. Recreation & Promotion (Gladu/Patchett): Councilman Meola reported that the Enhancement Committee will meet next week. A working model of a sculpture for downtown will be completed in a few weeks. Once a sculpture is chose, a grant application will be submitted to LARAC.

A suggestion was given to put the proposed sculpture on the American Legion Property and add picnic tables to the location.

Councilman Meola stressed that at this point the Town has no say in regards to the American Legion property. If the property is turned over to the Town at this point, we can discuss different options of use.

12. Sewer (Belden/Megow): No report.

13. Town Park (Meola/Gladu): The water disinfectant system is being installed at the Visitor Center. The Board will also have Mr. Jenson install the filtration system up at the Community Center.

Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by L. Megow to keep bathrooms open at the Town Park until October 10, 2005. AYES: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, R. Meola, R. Patchett and R. Gladu. Motion carried.

14. Transfer Station (Megow/Patchett): No report.

15. Youth (Meola/Gladu): Letters were received from the McDonough’s, Trudeau’s, Coon’s and Manning’s thanking the Board for the opportunity to attend Silver Bays Silver Camp this summer. The Board thanked the Up Town Store for handing out treats during one of the Music in the Park series.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to accept with regret Bruce Clarks resignation from the ZBA effective 9/30/2005. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

The Town Clerk will advertise the opening on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

2. Supervisor Belden discussed the sewer Extension proposal submitted by Clough Harbour. The location of the extension, should be chosen by areas that are high risk of harming the lake. A special meeting will be set up to discuss their findings.

3. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize letter in support of the GIS. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, L. Megow and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Motion by R. Patchett, seconded by R. Gladu to give approval to Mr. O’Leary to attend conference on confined space. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Patchett, R. Gladu, L. Megow and R. Meola. Motion carried.

2. Mr. Marshall, Pine Cove has offered to give the Town of Hague the small parcel located in Pine Cove that the Town Highway uses as a turn around spot in the winter for plowing.

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to accept parcel 60.9-1-23 from Marshall’s and have the Town Attorney draw up the contract. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, R. Patchett and L. Megow.

3. RESOLUTION #60 OF 2005

RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2004-2005 NYS SNOW & ICE REMOVAL CONTRACT.

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

RESOLVED, that the contract between the New York State Department of Transportation and the Town of Hague for Snow & Ice Removal be amended to increase contract amount from $154,263 to $158,853.87 due to the rising fuel costs.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

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

4. RESOLUTION #61 OF 2005

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT TO LUMP SUM MUNICIPAL SNOW AND ICE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK

RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Patchett, and SECONDED BY L. Megow.

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 $3,418.22 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. Patchett, L. Megow, R. Meola and R. Gladu.

Motion carried.

5. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow that the Town Board will send a letter to the Barton’s in support of their windmill Energy Park by the Barton Mines. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Patchett and R. Gladu. Motion carried.

ADDENDUM

1. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to appoint Catherine Wells to the Planning Board to fill the unexpired term of Catherine Clark. Term to expire 12/31/2011. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Patchett

NAYS: R. Gladu. Due to no application submitted to review. Motion carried.

2. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to approve and accept the grant received from the LGPC and to thank A Graham Bailey for all is work on this project. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Gladu and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

3. Motion to approve of the Town Clerk and Supervisor to attend meeting on GIS scheduled for September 19, 2005 at the Warren Count municipal Center. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, L. Megow, R. Patchett and R. Gladu. Motion carried.

4. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to give approval for a Highway representative to attend meeting on Dig Safety. AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, L. Megow and R. Patchett. Motion carried.

SUPERVISOR REPORT

1. Supervisor Belden reported the County has been working on the Budget for 2006. The Budget is up by 5%. Social Services is the number one item.

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 8:10 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk