HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
February 8, 2005
6:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden, L. Megow, and R. Meola.
Absent: 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: Jim McGuire and David Shattuck.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Motion by L. Megow, seconded by R. Meola to pay Warrant #2 of 2005 in the amount of $53,988.43. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to approve minutes of 01/14/2005 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
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. The Town and SBA are still negotiating. There will be another meeting scheduled in the near future.
2. BUILDINGS
& GROUNDS (Megow/Patchett): Councilman Megow reported that he is
working on compiling information to send out to vendors to review the water
runoff problem and mold problem in the basement. He will have the vendors make
an appointment in April to review the issue.
Councilman Meola has contacted six
vendors for the replacement of flooring and tiles in the main lobby at the
Community Center.
3. CARE PROGRAM (Patchett/Megow): Program is running very well.
4. FINANCE (Megow/Meola): The Town Board as reviewed the Town Clerks, Tax & Sewer Collectors books. The Justice books will be audited next.
Supervisor Belden mentioned that Diane has been working on the Annual Report. If there is money left in General, it will be moved into the Capital Account for the Beach.
5. FIRE DEPARTMENT (Gladu/Patchett): The contract between the Town of Hague and the Fire Dept. states that the Town will maintain and plow the Fire Department parking lot during inclement weather. Superintendent Smith will incorporate the Fire Department into the plowing schedule.
The Fire Department will host a Hague Winter Weekend Breakfast on February 19 & 20 from 7 am to 11 am.
Since the Town provides a substantial amount of money to the Fire Department,
Councilman Meola asked if it was possible for the Fire Department to provide the Town with a financial statement.
Councilman Megow spoke with Ray Mury, President, of the fire Department and he explained that there is no problem, but it will not be a complete disclosure. The only disclosurer the Fire Dept. is responsible for to the town is the money that the taxpayers have given the Dept.
Councilman Meola reported on the use of salt this year. There was $70,000.00 budgeted for salt in the 2005 Budget. The Highway Dept. has used $47,000.00 worth of salt to date. The Town met with Mr. Komoroske, and he was satisfied that the Town of Hague has met the requirements of the contract. The weather conditions the past few weeks have been severe and temperatures have been well below zero degrees Fahrenheit for prolonged periods. Under these conditions, salt or calcium are not very effective. Mr. Komoroske computed that so far the Town of Hague has proportionally used an amount of salt equal to that used by DOT in their operations.
Councilman Meola mentioned that Cornell Extension Service puts on training programs for Highway people. Possibly, they will come over and conduct a training program for Hague.
The 2-hour call in will stay the same. It will not be removed from the Employee’s Guide.
7. INSURANCE (Meola/Gladu): Councilman Meola reported that the request for insurance coverage was sent out to three agencies. The proposals are due back April 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. Upon finalization, copies will be given to the Town Board for their review and recommendations.
9. PERSONNEL (Meola/Patchett): Councilman Meola and Councilman Patchett will be working on updating the Employee’s Guide.
10. PLANNING/ZONING/STORMWATER
(Gladu/Patchett): Mr. Bailey, ZEO gave his monthly report:
Permit activity for the month of January for the month:
Land Use - 3
Site Plan Review - 1
Subdivisions – 2
Wastewater – 1
Zoning/Septic Violations/Complaints
Hague Firehouse – Awaiting application for variance.
Reingold – Attorney for the Town, Mr. McNally and the Reingolds’s have been
reviewing a proposed settlement agreement.
Junk:
Letters have been sent to individuals requesting property must be cleaned up by April 1 to avoid appearance notice.
Zoning Schedule:
Mr. Bailey will be out of his office from mid-February to mid-March.
If Zoning questions arise, individuals may contact Tim Costello Tues. – Thurs.
The Town Code will be added to the Town Website.
A training session is being planned with the Department of State and APA for the benefit of our Planning and ZBA in April.
Councilman Meola informed the Board of his concerns regarding the direction of the Zoning Department. He believes that the Town Board should provide the Planning & Zoning Boards with more direction. A Planning Board sub-committee made several recommendations dealing with the Streetscape Design proposal by Élan Planning & Design, Inc. This plan had been discussed at a joint meeting of the Enhancement Committee and the Town Board. It had also been discussed at a Town Board meeting and approved by the Board. The plan was also the basis for a grant application.
The Zoning Code requires that for a major subdivision, not less than 10% of the area be set aside for a park, playground or open space. If this requirement is waived, the Town Board may require a fee instead.
It is Councilman Meola’s contention that there already is enough park land or recreational land within the Town to meet this requirement. The Town presently has a Town Park with lake access and boat docking that meets not only the requirements of the present residents of the Town of Hague, but to unlimited users as there is no limit to its use to town residents.
As a condition for approval, the developer must assume total responsibility for providing recreational facilities or open space to meet the needs of the subdivision. The Lake George Conservancy should play no roll in this section of the Zoning Code.
Cathy Clark explained why the Planning Board addressed the issues. Mr. Dick Gladu asked the Planning Board to review certain Comprehensive Plan items that were suppose to be addressed by the Planning Board. He asked the Board to review and give their recommendations.
Miles Peterson feels that possibly some open space subdivision lots would be beneficial to the Town of Hague for recreational purposes. At the present time, there is no tennis courts or ball fields for the children in Hague.
A memo was received form the ZEO requesting to order Planning and Zoning Material. The cost of publication is $14.00 each. Total cost is $252.00. The Board will discuss this at next months meeting. Councilman Meola suggested that a library be established in the ZEO office with single copies of each publication made available to Board members.
2/18 skating party at the Hague Community Center 6 to 8 pm
2/19 Ice Fishing contest, Fred LaPann Memorial Road Race, Children’s Games, Snow Sculpture Contest, Polar Bear Swim, Beste Scholarship Dinner at SBA.
2/20 Country Music & Blue Grass Show 2 pm to 4 pm at Community Center.
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 of 2005 for the Arts & Crafts Fair. All voting yes. Motion carried.
The Enhancement Committee met with a sculptor from Bolton Landing. The committee discussed different options with him on placing a sculpture down by the bridge.
12. SEWER (Belden/Megow): Supervisor Belden reported that $15,000 has been transferred from the Sewer Account to General Fund to pay back the sewer loan. The remainder due will be paid next year as provided in the Sewer Use Law.
A letter will go out to all property The deadline to connect to the sewer is May 31, 2005. Any homeowners who is not connected will be assessed a permit fee of $25.00 and a connection fee of $200.00 when the connection is made.
13. TOWN PARK (Meola/Gladu): The Committee has been working on staff for the summer. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to apply for 2 international students to work at the Town Park for the 2005 summer season. Councilman Meola will work with Mr. Funk on this project. All voting yes. Motion carried.
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.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign service contract with Casella Waste, effective February 1, 2005 and to add yard waste to the list of items the Transfer Station will accept at $25.00 per yard. All voting yes. Motion carried.
15. YOUTH (Meola/Gladu): No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. The Senior Citizens Club, Inc. sent the Town Board their financial statement for 2004.
2. DOT has established a 45 mph zone from Forest Bay Road 1.2 miles north.
3. The proposed Reingold Settlement Agreement will not be finalized until the Board hears recommendations from Attorney McNally.
4. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by L. Megow to appoint Bruce Clark as Deputy Chair to the ZBA and Roland Allen as Deputy Chair to the Planning Board. Term to expire 12/31/2005. All voting yes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. A letter was received dated 2/10/2005 from Ms. Jill Stull with concerns with the road conditions. It was discussed with Mr. Komoroske of DOT.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Supervisor Belden reported that he met with Mr. David Darrin on his property across from the Town Park. Mr. Darrin is not selling this property.
2. Mr. Komoroske, DOT stated that because the Town of Hague has a permit to beautify the downtown area it could regulate signage at the location as well as the at the triangle. It was suggested that signs not be allowed, but moved to the area over the bridge. The Board will review this matter and come up with a plan.
3. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to approve a training session at ACC on 2/1-2/2 for the Assessor and Assessor Secretary. All voting yes. Motion carried.
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 #37 OF 2005
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF NY BILL S622/A3483
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. MEOLA, AND SECONDED BY L. MEGOW.
RESOLVED, THAT THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF HAGUE SUPPORTS NY BILL S622/A3483 COLLATERAL RESOURCE BILL.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by L. Megow to proclaim February 23RD as International Rotary Day. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. A letter dated 1/28/05 was received by Mr. Robert Maiaro asking the Town to correct the zoning for his property (42-1-9) on Decker Hill Road.
Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Meola to send Robert Maiaro’s letter to the Hague Planning Board for review with their recommendations to the Town Board for correcting the zoning on tax map #42-1-9. All voting yes. Motion carried.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
1. Supervisor Belden reported that Warren County has been working on pushing the Governor to cap Medicaid and Medicare cost.
2. The Bicentennial Committee will meet at 6:30 pm on February 16, 2005.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by L. Megow to adjourn meeting at 8:00 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk