HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
January 9, 2007
6:00 pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Supervisor Belden opened the meeting at 6:00 pm
The Town Board audited the monthly claims.
Regular meeting opened at 6:30 pm
Moment of Silence: Petey Michael
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by A. Steitz to approve minutes of 12/11/2006, 12/28/2006 and 1/5/2007 as printed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by A. Steitz to pay General, Highway and sewer Claims audited at tonight’s meeting in the amount of $66,755.67. All voting yes. Motion carried.
REGULAR COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. ASSESSOR/JUSTICE (Gladu/LaPointe): Having received several questions from Hague property owners; Councilman Gladu explained the differences between the Hague & Ticonderoga School, Town & County Tax bills. Hague bills show the current equalization rate of 79.5%, the current assessed value, and the full market value based on the current equalization rate. The Ti equalization rate is set at 89.97%, and the current assessed value is shown, neither the equalization rate nor the true value resulting from the current equalization rate is shown on the statement. While this may result in some confusion and understate the true value of the Ti property, it does not impact the Tax levy’s issued by the TCS School District. The District generates true value by taking into account local differences in equalization rate when apportioning the tax levy.
2. BUILDINGS & GROUNDS (LaPointe/Steitz): Councilman LaPointe has received a proposal to replace the tile in the foyer and hall. Refinished hardwood flooring will be installed. The tiles in the bathrooms and outer foyer would stay. He will get back to the Board with additional proposals.
3. CARE PROGRAM (Frasier/Steitz): Councilwoman Frasier reported that everything is going well. They worked hard on completing Christmas Baskets for the pantry patrons.
4. ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE (Frasier/Steitz): Councilwoman Frasier reported that we are still waiting to hear from DOT on the American Legion property.
5. FINANCE (Frasier/Gladu): Work has begun on year end reports.
6. FIRE DEPARTMENT (LaPointe/Gladu): Councilman LaPointe reported that there were 103 fire calls last year and 98 ambulance calls. The Fire Dept. is looking into the possibility of offering a pension plan in hopes that this will continue to encourage volunteer members.
7. HIGHWAY (Gladu/LaPointe): Superintendent Smith has been working on the specifications for the purchase of a new tandem truck.
8. INSURANCE (Frasier/Gladu): No report.
9. MUSEUM (Frasier/LaPointe): The museum room has been painted and the new floor has been installed.
10. PERSONNEL (Gladu/Frasier): No report.
11. PLANNING/ZONING/STORMWATER (Gladu/Frasier):
ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD
DECEMBER 2006
Land Use Development 8 97 65
Site Plan Review 1 18 10
Variance 1 20 7
Subdivisions 1 12 6
Wastewater 1 20 15
Wastewater Variances 0 1 1
Total 168 104
Planning Board:
The Planning Board is currently working on four Subdivisions and one Change of Use.
Zoning:
Sheehan’s Fence – a new application for a six foot fence has been submitted. Due to the fact that the existing illegal fence was found to be predominately on the neighbors property the original variance could not move forward. If approved the fence will be moved to the Sheehan property. If the ZBA does not approve the variance the fence will be removed. Council has stated that as long as the neighbor has agreed to wait until the decision has been made and the fence doesn’t pose any danger to the public it can remain until the ZBA process is complete.
Complaints:
Signs-I have received two complaints about signs.
Zoning Violations:
All but 2 signs in the Town are now in compliance with Zoning Codes of Hague. It is expected in the next month all sign will meet the zoning standards.
Agency Interaction – Recently The office of the ZEO have received complaints for following procedures that are imposed on Hague by governing agencies. Hague permits are issued through a cooperation of the Codes of the Town of Hague, APA, Warren County, the DEC, the Lake George Park Commission, the NYSDOH all of who get their authority from New York State and the Governor. Hague codes can be modified only after review of the APA and Warren County, but the Town Council have the ultimate authority over modifications.
I do not make it a practice of turning any property owners in to any agency. I will contact contractors and /or owners if I believe there is a problem with their project. The Lake George Park Commission receives a copy of all development permits issued by this office on a monthly basis.
Due to the fact that there are so many rules and regulations for building project it can be very frustrating to our property owners.
I have attached a copy of Agency interactions for your review.
Supervisor Belden reported that the Board is still waiting to hear from the State on the Town’s share of the sedimentation pond grant. He is working with Dave Wick on the possibility of
12. RECREATION & PROMOTION (LaPointe/Steitz): Motion by T. LaPointe, seconded by A. Steitz to rent a 40X60 tent for winter weekend. The money for the tent will be taken out of Occupancy Tax. AYES: Supervisor Belden, T. LaPointe, A. Steitz, E. Frasier, and R. Gladu. Motion carried.
13. SEWER Dist. 1 & 2 (Belden/Steitz): Supervisor Belden reported on Sewer Dist. #2. We are waiting for APA, due to wetlands in the area of Friends Point. Once this is resolved we will continue with the process.
14. TOWN PARK/BEAUTIFICATION (Steitz/LaPointe): No report.
15. TRANSFER STATION (Steitz/Gladu): Councilman Steitz will be meeting with the new representative from Casella Waste on January 19, 2007.
16. YOUTH (LaPointe/Steitz): No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by A. Steitz to accept the recommendations of the Planning and Zoning Boards to appoint the following:
Deputy Chairman to the Planning Board: Roland Allen
Clerk to the Planning Board: John Brown
Deputy Chairman to the Zoning Board: Martin Fitzgerald II
All terms to expire 12/31/2007
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, A. Steitz, T. LaPointe, and E. Frasier. Motion carried.
2. The vacancy on the Zoning Board of Appeals will be re-advertised.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Supervisor Belden has chosen a committee to work on the proposed 9N bike/pedestrian walkway.
Jim O’Toole Rudy Meola
Marylou Doulin T. LaPointe
Art Hatfield G. Bailey
Supervisor Belden
Supervisor Belden will contact everyone and try to set up a meeting at the end of the month.
2. The Historian position is appointed by the Supervisor. The Town Historian should be keeping track of current events in the Town. There is also County Meetings in which the Historian should attend.
3. Supervisor Belden reported that there is $55,000 left in from the grant on Hague Brook.
4. The Board reported that the last full audit was conducted in 1996. They possibly will write the state to have them conduct an audit or hire a private firm.
5. Supervisor Belden reported that $15,000 has been put into a new Capital Improvements account for the Sewer District. At least 10% of the Sewer Budget should be set aside for Capital Improvement.
6. The Board reviewed the current agenda. They decided to combine the following committees on the agenda:
Care Program & Enhancement, Finance & Insurance, and Recreation & Youth.
Bruce Clark mentioned that there was a test hole drilled in the center of the road around Island Harbour. Supervisor Belden will contact DOT and have them fix it.
Councilman Gladu reported that Bub Siwek was appointed to the Planning Board.
Councilman LaPointe has met with Jason Laundree and Dan Steitz. They will be doing g the charts and testing for the gas boy.
Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by A. Steitz to adjourn meeting at 7:30 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning