HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
September 12, 2006
6:00 PM
MEMBERS PRESENT: Supervisor Belden, A. Steitz, R. Gladu and T. LaPointe.
ABSENT: E. Frasier.
Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm.
The Board reviewed the bills.
Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Rudy Meola – In June 2006 A. Graham Bailey was paid $743.00 as a consultant with a $200.00 charge for writing a letter in regards to the bike/pedestrian walk path. Was this letter ever written or sent?
A. Graham Bailey – There have been numerous correspondences with DOT and letters have been sent to the Town Board with an outline of the procedure which should be followed.
Rudy Meola – In July I brought up the bike path issues and read the section of the Hague Comprehensive Plan, which outlines the procedures to establish a walk/bike path. In August, Councilman Gladu was supposed to get in touch with me in regards to the bike path. To date, nothing has been done.
Councilman Gladu explained that the last few months have been busy. We would like to correspond the project with the paving of 9N.
Mr. & Mrs. David Cornell are requesting to replace their existing leech field which is non-conforming.
The Town Board acting as the Board of Health recommended that if they replace the tank & leech field no variance will be required by the town.
Matt Coffin – Thanked the Town Board for hiring him to the vacant position as a Class A driver at the Highway Department, but at this time he can not accept the position. Hopefully if the position is open at another time, the Board will consider him. He also mentioned to the Board that the pay scale for the part time operator is very low. This should be reviewed.
Motion by A. Steitz, seconded by T. LaPointe to pay Warrant in the amount of $83,377.82. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by A. Steitz, seconded by T. LaPointe to approve minutes of 8/8, public hearing of 9/7 and special meeting of 9/7, 2006 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ASSESSOR & JUSTICE (Gladu/Steitz): Councilman Gladu reported on the school tax levy for 2006-2007. The tax levy is $8,422,418, with Hague’s portion being $4,452,093 with 82 students attending, tax rate per 1,000 is 10.486877. Ticonderoga’s portion to be raised by tax is $3,970,325 with 858 students attending, tax rate per 1,000 is 9.805304.
Sales of property from 6/30 back will set the new equalization rate for next year. Sales of property have leveled off, which will help.
The Ticonderoga Central School has started a “Needs Statement” they have compiled a listing of areas within the school which need repair. There is a 2.7 million dollar interest free 5-year loan; the money needs to be watermarked by 2007. The Town of Hague, still needs to take an active role in relation to the school.
2. BUILDING & GROUNDS (LaPointe/Steitz): Work is still being completed on the Community Center building. Supervisor Belden mentioned that they will also be replacing the framing along one of the main windows.
3. CARE PROGRAM (Frasier/Steitz): Sheryl Bailey and Viola Vassallo will be resigning from the food pantry. The Board needs to advertise for the openings. A letter of thanks will go out to both of them.
4. ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE (Frasier/Steitz): Councilman Steitz reported that there was a short meeting of the Enhancement Committee. The walkway along the boat launch was discussed along with what to do with the lights that were purchased for Route 8. The committee agreed that they should be sold.
Pam Peterson suggested the use of the lights along the walk path by the boat launch. This area is very dark at night.
Supervisor Belden will bring this up at the next Enhancement Committee meeting scheduled for September 20th at 2:30 pm.
5. FINANCE (Frasier/Gladu): R. Gladu reported that the Budget process will begin soon. The town received $3,300 in interest this month from the nine accounts.
6. FIRE DEPT. (Steitz/Gladu): The coin drive and steak bake were a success. There will be a Columbus Dinner at the Fire House on October 7, 2006.
7. HIGHWAY (Gladu/LaPointe): Councilman Gladu reported that the bid package for the Salt Shed is completed and the notice is in the paper. Dave Wick will be the Clerk of the Works for this project. Some funds will be available from the DEC grant.
A letter was received from the Lakeshore Hills Assoc. thanking the Highway Dept. for a great job.
8. INSURANCE (Frasier/Gladu): No report.
9. MUSEUM (Frasier/LaPointe): No report.
10. PERSONNEL (Gladu/Frasier): Applications are being filed for the opening at the Highway Department. It is difficult to find people to fill the jobs. It was the practice of the Town Board to have a 90 day probation period. This is not part of the personnel manual.
11. PLANNING/ZONING/STORM WATER (Gladu/LaPointe): Councilman Gladu mentioned that there will be a Noise Ordinance Committee meeting on Sept. 26, 2006 @ 6:30 pm. It is the intent of the committee to listen to people’s comments. Several letters from residents have been submitted.
ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2006
Land Use Development 11 71
Site Plan Review 1 14
Variance 3 16
Subdivisions 0 7
Wastewater 3 15
Wastewater Variances 1 1
Planning Board:
Kruger – an after-the-fact approval was giving to Kruger, New Hague Rd. for construction of 120% increase in square footage to an existing camp. A new septic was installed and stormwater protection plan has been implemented.
Zoning:
Complaints:
Stormwater entering neighbor’s property.
Septic failure
Zoning Violations:
Six foot residential fence installed partially on neighbor’s property, without necessary approval.
Request for a wastewater Variance:
Cornell 8477 Lakeshore Drive 59.20-1-2 (TR-1)
Applicant is applying for a wastewater variance for a new leach field to an existing septic system. Currently there is a 300 gal. metal tank, the existing leach field had been destroyed by root infiltration.
Concerns of the ZEO:
Due to the lot line, for future tank replacement, heavy equipment will have to move over the proposed leach field.
Lateral separation of the proposed is 3 feet instead of the recommended 4 foot.
Other Issues:
Request to attend one day of Planning Federation Conference, Oct. 10th. in Saratoga Springs. Cost $107.00 per person
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by A. Steitz to permit the ZEO to attend the one day Federation Conference in Saratoga, Sept. 10, 2006 in the amount of $107.00. All voting yes. Motion carried.
12. RECREATION & PROMOTION (LaPointe/Steitz): Councilman LaPointe reported that the Snow-goers have scheduled a meeting for Wed. Sept. 13 @ 6:30pm.
13. SEWER #1 & #2 (Belden/Steitz): Supervisor Belden reported that we are still waiting to hear from the State on the SEQRA report.
14. TOWN PARK/BEAUTIFICATION (LaPointe/Steitz): Councilman Steitz stressed the need of raising the salaries of the summer employees at the Town Park. The boat launch and parking are still issues. Dottie Henry mentioned that she is a member of the Town Park committee; possibly we could set up a meeting to discuss these issues.
15. TRANSFER STATION (Steitz/Gladu): No report.
16. YOUTH (Frasier/LaPointe): Warren County Youth grant will pay half the cost of the Silver Bay Association summer program.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
RESOLUTION # 69 OF 2006
LAKE GEORGE DELTAS SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT &
SHORELINE RESTORATION PROJECT.
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Gladu, AND SECONDED BY A. Steitz
WHEREAS, the Lake George Association, Inc., acting as project sponsor, caused to be prepared a Generic Environmental Impact Statement (GEIS) to advance the development of the Lake George Sediment Management & Shoreline Restoration Project, and
WHEREAS, the GEIS was accepted by The Lake George Park Commission serving in the capacity of Lead Agency for the review of said report, on April 20, 2004, and
WHEREAS, the Lake George Park Commission, acting as lead agency, issued a Findings Statement dated May 25, 2004 relative to the Lake George Association, Inc.’s Delta Sediment Management & Shoreline Restoration Project, and
WHEREAS, the GEIS identified as Phase II of the project the development will consist of the preparation of individuals detailed design plans and specifications and preparation of applications of all necessary regulatory permits an approvals for remediation of the individual deltas, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague is desirous of advancing remediation of the Hague Brook Delta, and
WHEREAS, the GEIS listed the following factors that should be considered by the affected Towns and other interested parties in advancing and assigning priority consideration to individual (delta) restoration projects:
Available funding
o The status of completion of all identified and reasonably achievable upstream sediment control projects
o The efficacy of existing land use controls in each delta’s basin to control sedimentation
o The efficacy of maintenance standards for existing sediment control basins and other such devices in each delta’s basin to ensure the such devices continue to function properly
o The level of adverse impacts from the existing deltas relative to the other deltas (in the lake)
o The level of interest from the involved municipalities and affected landowners and Lake users
o The extent to which the individual project can be carried out in conformity with the GEIS, without additional SEQR review, and
o Any other factors found at the time to be relevant.
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Town Board does authorize the preparation of a report, for consideration by the Town Board that affirmatively identifies and discusses these factors relative to the Hague Brook Delta. The Director of the Lake George Watershed Conference shall be requested to coordinate the preparation of such a report, incorporating the input and assistance of other Conference member institutions.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, A. Steitz and T. LaPointe. Motion carried.
Councilman Gladu reported that it is the desire of the Board to reject the proposal of decreasing the term of office of the Highway Superintendent.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by A. Steitz to leave the Highway Superintendents term at four years. All voting yes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. Letter received from Gale Halm, President of the Clifton West Museum.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by A. Steitz to approve the following:
a. The Hague Town Board contracts with The Hague Historical Society to maintain the Clifton F. West Museum and that the Clifton F. West Museum Board is dissolved.
b. The Hague Town Board will make accessible to the Hague Historical Society the funds raised by the Clifton f. West Museum Board at an August 2005 fund raiser. Motion carried.
The Hague Historical Society wished to change the name of the museum to Hague Historical Museum and leave the name of the room in the Community Center as the Clifton F. West Memorial Room and that the collection currently in the Museum be named the Clifton F. West collection. The Town Board tabled this item.
2. RESOLUTION #70 OF 2006
SHEARED MUNICIPAL SERVICES INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM
Resolution introduced by R. Gladu, and seconded by A. Steitz.
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Hague does hereby support the application for funding to the New York State Department of State Shared Municipal Services Incentive Grant Program for the purchase of television equipment necessary to inspect and insure proper maintenance of our sanitary sewer lines and related underground facilities, and be it further,
RESOLVED, to support the Village of Lake George acting as the Lead Applicant and agree to share equally with all other co-applicants in the local share of the project.
We support the need for such equipment to insure proper maintenance that is necessary for the protection of Lake George; we will realize a substantial savings to our taxpayers, and have the ability to do periodic inspections with a minimal of former costs.
We respectfully urge approval of the application on behalf of all participating communities along the lakeshore.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
Ayes: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, A. Steitz, and T. LaPointe.
Motion carried.
3. Letter received 8/18/2006 from Hartford Insurance Company on the boiler at the Community Center.
Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by a.
Steitz to have JW Steven’s install the part needed to bring the boiler into
compliance. All voting yes. Motion carried.
4. A. Graham Bailey sent a letter dated 9/5/2006 stating the possibilities of saving the Tudor portion of Lakeshore Garage. This could be listed on the Historical Registrar. If the building would be given to the Town it could be used for a Museum. The Historical Society will work on this project to see if this could be possible.
5. The Hague Senior Citizen Club sent their financial statement to the Town Board.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. The Town Clerk will present the tentative to the Board on October 5, 2006 @ 8:00 am.
2. Motion by Motion by A. Steitz, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize the Supervisor to sign contract with Champlain Valley to retain a tent for the Bicentennial weekend of August 17, 2007 (Thursday-Sunday Afternoon). All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. Supervisor Belden reported that work is still in process of trying to get a company to put a cell tower up.
4. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by T. LaPointe to sign Maintenance fee agreement with Code Publishing in the amount of $495.00. All voting yes. Motion carried.
5. Motion by A. Steitz, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Linda Benway, ACO/DCO to attend the Empire State Animal Protection Forum on October 6 & 7 of 2006. Cost is $75.00. All voting yes. Motion carried.
6. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by T. LaPointe to reimburse Bob de Buy $500.00 for payment to Lake George Steamboat Company to secure the August 17, 2006 date for the Mohican Boat. All voting yes. Motion carried.
7. The Bicentennial Committee gave a brief presentation on the proposed schedule of events in 2007. Supervisor Belden thanked Judy Stock and the rest of the committee for all of their work on this project.
Motion by A. Steitz, seconded by R. Gladu to adjourn meeting at 8:30 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning
Town Clerk