HAGUE TOWN BOARD AUDIT & REGULAR

MEETING

 January 8, 2008

6:00 PM

 

Members present:  Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, and R. Meola.

 

Motion by R. Meola seconded by E. Frasier to open the audit meeting at 6:00 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

The Board reviewed the Warrant.

 

Supervisor Belden closed the Audit meeting and opened the regular meeting at 6:30 pm on a motion by E. Frasier and seconded by M. Martucci.

Ayes: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, A. Steitz.

Motion carried.

 

Councilman Meola led The Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Moment of Silence:  Eberhard Werschky

 

Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:  Martin Fitzgerald from Warren County Planning reviewed the proposal submitted by David F. Barrass, Land Surveyor contracted by Warren County to perform a Topographical Survey for The Hague Snow Park.  The cost to the Town to have the survey completed is $4,600.00.  Once this step is completed we will be able to estimate the cost of the design work.  Moved by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu seconded by to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign agreement with David F. Barass, Land Surveyor in the amount of $4,600.00.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, R. Gladu, E. Frasier, and M. Martucci.  Motion carried.

The Board will review the possibility of obtaining land adjacent to the proposed Snow Park.

 

Shawn Lynch, 4-H Community Educator, Cornell University Cooperative Extension. gave a presentation on 4-H.  Cornell Cooperative will be issuing a press release trying to get more Towns involved in the 4-H program. 

 

Joe McCranels addressed the Board on the Cross Country Ski Trail at Rogers Rock.  The County would like a contact person.  The Board agreed that Mark Martucci will be the contact person. 

 

Joe also mentioned the Hague Park schedule for the summer.  He is willing to supervise the Town Park Staff and Life Guards for a nominal fee.  This will include training, scheduling, and reviewing the job descriptions.  Councilman Meola and Councilman Martucci will meet with Mr. McCranels.

 

Graham Bailey updated the Board on the Chamber of Commerce AARP Tax Refund Program for qualified individuals.  There will be 6 volunteers to aid in this program, which will begin in February.

 

Discussion of Bills:  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to pay Warrant #1 of 2008.  All yes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to accept minutes of 12/11/2007, 12/27/2007, & 1/3/2008 as printed.  All yes.  Motion carried. 

 

Regular Committee Report:

1.  Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola):  Councilman Gladu reported that the Assessor is working on the new equalization rate.  He has been updating his files on new structures, and splits.  May 1st is the Tentative Roll, Grievance Day is May 27, 2008, and Final Roll is July 1, 2008.

A new computer has been purchased for the Justice office in the amount of $965.00.  There have been several complaints filed on barking dogs.  This issue will be addressed at the end of the month.

 

2.  Buildings & Grounds (Martucci/Frasier): Councilman Martucci reported that specifications have been completed and RFP’s will be sent out shortly to contractors requesting proposals to complete the handicap ramp and porch on the East side of the Community Building. 

           

3.  Enhancement Committee (Frasier/Meola):  Councilwoman Frasier will be sending a letter to the Citizen Enhancement Committee making them aware that the committee is dissolved as constituted last year.

 

4.  Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci):  Councilwoman Frasier stated that there is no interest in moving the tax collectors account to another bank at this time.  It could be done at a later date.  Councilman Meola would like the Town Board to set up a meeting with Glens Falls National & TD Banknorth.  We need to explore the different proposals from both banks.

 

The committee will invite members of Glens Falls National Bank and TD Banknorth to give a presentation.

 

5.  Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci):  Councilman Martucci reported that there will be an EMT training course offered at the Hague Fire Dept. in March.  Active members of the Fire Dept. can obtain a $200.00 income tax credit this year when filing.

 

Councilman Gladu reported that the Hague Fire Dept. Board formed a new Finance Advisory Committee.  The new members are Ken Parlin, Steve Young and Pat Ida.         Martin Fitzgerald II is the new purchasing agent.          

 

6.  Highway (Martucci/Gladu):  Councilman Martucci met with the Highway Superintendent to discuss the workings of the Highway Dept. Sealed bids for the sale of the 1985 International Dump Truck with plow are due into the Town Clerks office by February 7, 2008 @ 3 pm.

Discussion followed on the possibility of all Highway Personnel having a CDL license.  The committee will have a proposal by the next meeting.

Councilman Meola stated that complaints about the poor road conditions after a snow storm continue.  He asked that the Highway committee prepare a report listing options for resolving the problem.

 

7.  Museum & Historian (Frasier/Meola):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that Gerald Crammond will be the new Town Historian.  He has requested a few items.  She will set up a meeting with the Historian to discuss his letter and job criteria.

 

8.  Personnel (Frasier/Gladu):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that four applications have been received to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board.  Interviews will be set up next week.

Councilman Gladu would like the Chairman of the Planning Board to sit in on the interview.  The Board agreed to this.

 

 Councilman Meola has a few questions on the Employee’s Manual.  He will compile a list of questions and possible changes for the Board to review and discuss at the next meeting in February.

 

9.  Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):  Councilman Gladu reported that Cathy Clark, ZEO will call DOS and APA to arrange a Hague Training session in April for the Boards.

           

10. Recreation & Youth (Meola/Martucci):  Councilman Meola reported that the committee has been busy working on the summer programs for 2008.  Summer recreation program annual report has been filed with Warren County youth Bureau.                                                           

11. Sewer Dist. #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier): Supervisor Belden thanked Cathy Clark for all of her work in obtaining an easement from property owner in Sewer Dist. #2. 

The Board discussed the salary of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator.  The Board agreed to leave the salary as is.  The position was increased by 5.1% when the rest of the Town employees only received a 3% increase.  The $50.00 increase in pay last year was due to the extra time worked when the Wastewater assistant was off sick. 

 

12.  Town Park (Meola/Martucci):  Councilman Meola and Martucci would like to know if the Board wishes to hire international students for the summer jobs at the beach.  The Board feels that local students should have first option.  Councilman Meola will advertise for summer positions, applications need to be received by February 4, 2008.  The Visitor Center sign needs work and two trees need to be taken down at the park.  Supervisor Belden has information in the office on the sign.  Art Steitz explained that the two trees will be taken down in the spring and two donated trees will be planted in their place. 

 

13. Transfer Station (Martucci/Gladu):  Councilman Martucci and Councilman Gladu will meet with Casella to review the contract and discuss the recyclable and yard waste issues.  The clean-up day last year cost the town nothing.  This is a benefit to the people and we should schedule another clean-up day.  Plans for a clean up day need to be started soon.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

1.  Review the Zoning Enforcement Job Description.  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by M. Martucci to approve the revised Zoning Enforcement Job Description.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Meola.  Motion carried.  Meetings will be compensated as hours worked.

 

COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

 

1.  Thank you letter from Dottie Henry for the Proclamation.

 

2.   Letter from the Chamber of Commerce 12/20/07- Request for $3,500 from Bed Tax Money for web updates.  The Board can not do this.  We as a Board give the Chamber $10,000.00 per contract and due to Town Law we can not exceed this amount.

 

3.  Letter from the Chamber of Commerce 12/20/07 – Request for $800.00 for promoting the Winter Weekend Gala.  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to give the Chamber of Commerce $800.00 for promotion and advertising the winter Weekend Gala.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

(Regular Meeting held on 2/12/08 R. Meola questioned the interruption of section 64 of the Town Law by stating that he believes that Town Law section 64 does not apply to occupancy tax money.  He is asking for a clarification from the Town Attorney).

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by R. Meola to give the ZEO permission to organize Hague Training Day in April and approve $200.00 for refreshments.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to pay the $100.00 registration fee for Bruce Clark, Hague Planning Board member to attend training sessions at the Association of Towns.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by M. Martucci to give permission for the ZEO to take off January 23, 2008.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Study Regional Meeting Invitation will be held on January 16, 2008 at 7 pm in Chestertown.

 

5.  Councilman Meola mentioned to the Board that according to Town Law the Town Board needs to review the town’s books.  The Board will meet on January 18th at 4 pm to review and approve the books.  Councilman Meola also mentioned that the State Comptrollers Office should be contacted to do an audit.  Councilwoman Frasier contacted them two months ago.  They are unable to do an audit.  We have money budgeted for this to hire a person or firm to conduct an outside audit.

 

 

SUPERVISORS REPORT & COUNTY REPORTS:

 

1.  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to authorize R. Gladu to attend the Warren County Real Property Tax meetings and the Town will reimburse his mileage.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT:    

 

Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to adjourn meeting at 7:50 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Deborah F. Manning

Town Clerk