HAGUE TOWN BOARD

AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING

February 12, 2008

6:00 PM

 

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, and R. Meola.

 

Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm

 

The Town board reviewed Warrant #2 of 2008.

 

Regular Town Board meeting was opened at 6:30 pm.

 

Councilman Martucci led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Moment of silence:  None.

 

Welcome Guest Privilege of the Floor:

 

Joe McCranels:  Thanked the Town Board.  The transition of the Rogers Rock Cross-Country Ski trail has worked out well.  The Snow-goers have down a great job.

Also a request of $300.00 was made for the advertising of the Ski & Snowshoe Rally Rogers Ranger Reenactment scheduled for March 8, 2008.    

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to give $300.00 for the advertising of the Ski & Snowshoe Rally Rogers Rangers Reenactment.  The money will come out of Occupancy Tax money for promotion of a new event.  All yes.  Motion carried.

 

Art Hatfield:  Gave a brief presentation on the proposed Walkway.  It is imperative that the Town Board reaffirm their support in maintaining the Walkway.  This will need to be documented and sent with the grant application.

 

David Dunn:  Report on Hague Winter Weekend:

Saturday 2/16

Fireman’s Breakfast 7am to 11 am Firehouse

Fred LaPann Run 9am

Silver Bay Community Day (All Day)

Beste Scholarship Dinner @ SBA 5pm to 7pm

 

Sunday 2/17

Snowmobile rides @ Hague Fish & Game Club 10 am to 2 pm

Polar Bear Plung @ Trout House Village 2 pm

Chile Cookoff, live music @ the Hague Fire Dept. 3 pm

Cross Country Skiing at Rogers Rock Campsite

 

David also mentioned the new website at www.visithague.org. The website has been recreated by Nikolay Wilen.  There are a lot of pictures; it is a fun site to visit.

 

The Board will have Mike Manning open the Bath Rooms at the Visitor Center for the Winter weekend events.

 

Tom Haskell, President of the Sno-goers Club:  Stressed the need of leaving the shoulder on the side roads for the snowmobilers.  The Sno-Goers have worked hard on trying to extend the trails and increase the tourist.  We don’t want to have the snowmobilers driving on dirt.  The Highway Committee will discuss this with the Highway Department.  Supervisor Belden will pay the Sno-goers per contract as soon as the Town receives the money from the County. 

 

Linda Benway:  Residents on New Hague Road asked the board what the status was on cable in their area.  Time Warner has also billed some of the New Hague residence.  Supervisor Belden will contact Time Warner to urge them to continue the project. The billing was a mistake; the Franchise money will be covering the line extensions.

Linda also mentioned that she will be conducting the 2nd Annual Dog Show at the Town Park during Hague’s Memorial Day Celebration.  She asked the Board if it was possible to have more benches at the Park.  Art Hatfield mentioned that possibly the Kiwanis Club could donate a few.

Linda would also like the Board to look into a possible Dog Local Law.  The Board will work with the Attorney.

    

Discussion of Bills:  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to pay Warrant #2 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 all exemption forms need to be into the Assessor’s office before March 1st.  May 1st is the Tentative Roll, Grievance Day is May 27, 2008, and Final Roll is July 1, 2008.

 

Councilman Gladu also reported that a NY Supreme Court judge ruled that the State cannot use taxpayer’s money for taxes on forest preserve lands.  This could have had a huge impact in Hague.  The New York State owns approximately 52% of land in the Town of Hague. 

 

2.  Buildings & Grounds (Martucci/Frasier): Councilman Martucci mentioned the need for additional space at the Community Center.  To free up space the Assessor and Secretary are willing to move into the Town Board room and will place a divider between the room to create two offices.  This would give the Town Board and the Historian their own separate rooms.  Councilman Meola feels that this proposal should be researched.  Due to AARP Tax Preparation Program, this will have to wait, since they use the Board room.

Councilman Martucci reported that the proposals should be back in March to complete the porch project at the Community Center.

           

3.  Enhancement Committee (Frasier/Meola):  No report.

 

4.  Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Finance Committee will invite members of Glens Falls National Bank, Ticonderoga Federal Credit Union, and TD Banknorth to give a presentation in March.  The Committee is also getting ready to request proposals for Town Insurance Coverage.

 

Councilman Meola requested a banking proposal from Glens Falls National Bank.  The Town’s checking would have earned 3.19% interest on their general accounts. The Towns official depository, TD Banknorth’s rate in December was 1.30%.

 

5.  Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci):  Councilman Gladu reported that the new dry hydrant installed by the guard shack is not working and will need to be fixed in the spring.

 

Councilman Martucci reported that there will be an EMT training course offered at The Hague Fire Dept. on March 11, 2008.

 

6.  Highway (Martucci/Gladu):  Councilman Martucci reported that no bids were received for the sale of the 1985 International Dump Truck with plow.  The truck will be put on e-bay or sold at County Auction.

 

Councilman Gladu reported that the Highway Department has used ½ of the salt budget.  He also reported that CHIPS money received from the state will be less this year.

 

Supervisor Belden reported that the Highway Department has been using the Transfer Station Truck.  The truck has transmission trouble.  The repair cost should be out of the Highway budget.

 

7.  Museum & Historian (Frasier/Meola):  Councilwoman Frasier has met with Jerry Crammond, Town Historian to review his Job description and also review what items he needs for his position.

 

8.  Personnel (Frasier/Gladu):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that four applications had been received to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board.  Interviews have been conducted.   All applicants were very qualified and we will keep their applications on file for further possible openings.  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by R. Gladu to appoint Martin Fitzgerald to the Hague Planning Board.  Term to expire 12/31/2014.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, and R. Meola.  Motion carried.

 

 9.  Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):  Councilman Gladu reported that any member of the Town, Zoning or Planning Boards wishing to attend Local Government Day, scheduled for March 25 & March 26 in Lake Placid need to register.  Cathy Clark, ZEO has scheduled Training Day for May 14th at the Hague Community Center.

Councilman Gladu also reported that the committee met with a communications cell system provider.  The system can be used, but due to the cost and moderate to light traffic in this area it would not be affordable.       

 

10. Recreation & Youth (Meola/Martucci):  Councilman Meola reported that the Warren County youth Leadership Conference is scheduled for March 12, 2008 at Adirondack Community College.  Motion by

R. Gladu seconded by M. Martucci to give Councilman Meola permission to bring any children who wish to participate to the Warren County Leadership Conference scheduled for March 12, 2008 at Adirondack community College.  The Town will reimburse mileage.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

                                                           

11. Sewer Dist. #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier): Supervisor Belden reported that there was a leak by the pump station downtown on Route 9N. 

 

Supervisor Belden also reported that hopefully we will begin advertising to begin construction of Sewer District No. 2.

 

12.  Town Park (Meola/Martucci):  Under New Business. Summer Employees Visitor Center & Town Park.

 

13. Transfer Station (Martucci/Gladu):  Councilman Martucci and Councilman Gladu will review the contract once received.  Councilman Gladu will begin work on Clean-Up Day.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1.  Councilman Meola noted that the Cross-Country Ski Trail Management Agreement contract should have been approved before sign.  The Supervisor did not have the authority to sign.  Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Cross-Country Ski Trail Management Agreement.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Gladu.  NAYS:  R. Meola.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to grant permission to William O’Leary to attend training on June 16, 2008 with expenses as per his 1/24/08 memo and lodging.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

3.  Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to authorize the Supervisor to sign agreement with the Hague Snow-Goers, Inc ($1,300).  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

4.  There were no Truck bids received for the sale of 1995 International Dump Truck with Plow.  The Town Board will sell the truck at County Auction or on E Bay.

 

5.  Councilman Meola will wait for the Highway Committee to make their recommendations on the personal days as they apply to 40 hour week for overtime before bringing up his proposed changes to the Employee Guide.

 

COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

1.  Letter 1/28/08: Randy Engler, he is planning for the 2008 North Country Triathlon.

 

2.  Letter 1/10/08: Hague Senior Citizens Club, Inc. Year End Financial Statement 2007.

 

3.  Letter 1/12/2008:  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by E. Frasier to give the Chamber of Commerce permission to use the Community Center for the Annual Arts Fair on August 1 – 3 of 2008. All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Letter 2/1/08:  NYS Dept. of Transportation, they recommend enforcement rather than reduction of the speed limit by Rogers Rock Campsite.

 

5.  Letter 1/28/08: Lakes to Locks Passage, thank you to the Town for the $250.00 contribution towards the Federal Scenic Byway.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Supervisor to sign contract with Alonzo Fireworks Display, Inc. for the 4th of July Celebration scheduled for 7/3/2008 at the Town Park ($8,500).  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2.   Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to allow Alonzo Fireworks to dock at the boat dock from June 27, 2008 until after the Town fireworks display on July 3, 2008. All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

3.  RESOLUTION #40 OF 2008

RESOLUTION FOR HENRY KNOX CANNON TRAIL MARKER RESTORATION

 

Resolution introduced by R. Gladu, seconded by M. Martucci.

 

WHEREAS,   the Henry Knox Cannon Trail traces the route followed by Colonel Henry Knox and his men from December 1775 to January 1776 to transport 59 captured artillery pieces from Fort Ticonderoga and Crown Point on Lake Champlain to General George Washington at Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston;

 

WHEREAS,   this pivotal event of the American Revolution resulted in the evacuation of the British from Boston;

 

WHEREAS,   Henry Knox Cannon Trail Marker #5 is located within the Town of Hague;

 

WHEREAS,   the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, with guidance and assistance from the National Park Service, will undertake a project to conserve the New York State Henry Knox Cannon Trail monuments;

 

WHEREAS,   the Henry Knox Cannon Trail monuments are the property of the state of New York;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:

The Hague Town Board supports the restoration of the Henry Knox Cannon Trail monuments, and Grants permission to the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area and its agents to complete conservation work on Henry Knox cannon Trail Marker #5, located along the east side of Route 9 near the Sabbath Day Point Dock in the Town of Hague.  The marker is located on the property of James & Nancy Young, 48 Sabbath Day Point, Silver Bay, New York.

Duly adopted by the following vote:

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

Motion carried.

 

4.  Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by R. Gladu to accept Nancy Young’s resignation from position of Secretary to the Planning and Zoning Boards, effective 3/1/08 with regret. All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

5.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to accept Thermal Associates Service Agreement ($1,000).  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

6.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to fill vacancies at Town Park as follows:

Park Attendants:  Scott Barringer, Kathy Ramant

Visitor Center:  Evelyn Gravelle, Joe McCranels

Life Guards:  John Paul Ockrin, Jamie Patchett (pending certification), Frankie Lafferty alternate (pending certification)

All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

7.  Local Government Day Conference is scheduled for 3/25 & 3/26 in Lake Placid.  Board’s interested need to contact the Community Center.

 

8.  Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to commit to the maintenance of the proposed Walkway from the Town Center to Silver Bay.

 

SUPERVISORS REPORT & COUNTY REPORTS:

 

1.  Supervisor Belden reported on Gaslight Village project.

 

2.  Councilman Meola would like to send a letter to the Ticonderoga School Board and the Ticonderoga Town Board to see if they would be willing to meet with us to discuss School Taxes.

 

ADJOURNMENT:    

Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to adjourn meeting at 8:25 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Deborah F. Manning

Town Clerk