HAGUE TOWN BOARD

AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING

April 8, 2008

6:00 PM

 

 

 

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

 R. Gladu.

 

Supervisor Belden opened the audit meeting at 6:00 pm

 

The Town board reviewed Warrant #4 of 2008.

 

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

 

Councilwoman Frasier led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Moment of silence:  Jennifer Fenimore.

 

Welcome Guest Privilege of the Floor:  Dave Decker, Executive director of the Lake George Watershed gave a presentation on the work of the LGWS.  The LGWS is made up of towns, agencies and not for profit associations along the shores of Lake George.  He pointed out that the salt concentrations in Lake George have more than doubled in the last 20 years, but to date this has not affected the clarity of the lake.

 

Councilman Meola asked when the delta project on Hague Brook would begin. Applications for the EPF grant needs to be completed by May for dredging of Hague Brook.  We will find out if we receive grant funding in October.  Core samples will be completed in June, permit application will be submitted the end of June. Then we will have to wait for DEC.  

 

Bruce Clark asked what the procedures are for cleaning out catch basins on private property.  David Decker explained that the GPS system can determine which catch basins need to be cleaned and the property owner is notified. With the GPS system we can locate 95% of the catch basins that need repair. 

 

Web page for Lake George Watershed is lakegeorge@2000.org.  Conference is scheduled for June 18, 2008 at Fort William Henry.

 

Art Hatfield announced that the Kiwanis Club has approved $1,000.00 toward picnic tables for the Hague Town Park.   The Board thanked the Kiwanis Club for all of their support & contributions to the Town of Hague.

 

Hannah Cole addressed the Board on her request for a have a heart trap.  She has contacted Linda Benway DCO requesting a trap due to numerous cats coming on her property.  The cats have ripped out screens in her house and also will get her dogs barking.

Linda Benway explained that it is illegal to trap cats.  When she is working on the Trap & Release program all neighbors in that area need to be contacted prior to setting the traps.  These cats are sent to be spayed or neutered and then released back into the area. Linda will bring the trap to the Hague Community Center.  She will not be held responsible for giving her the trap. 

 

Chris Navitsky – He has been monitoring the work of DEC and National Grid on the transformer that fell by the Hague Boat Dock during the ice storm.  Sample testing has been conducted and will continue.

 

Hannah also questioned if other trailers have been removed in town that were illegal and also if the Town has contacted the new owner on Yaws Road to see if the fence can be moved to allow the Town trucks in the winter to turn around.  The Board is working on this.   

 

Discussion of Bills:  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by E. Frasier to pay Warrant #4 of 2008 in the amount of $49,101.34.  All yes.  Motion carried.

 

Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to accept minutes of 3/11/, 3/13 and 3/21 of 2008 as printed.  All yes.  Motion carried. 

 

Regular Committee Report:

 

1.  Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola):  Councilman Gladu reported that the equalization rate will hit at approximately 77.6.  School Budget Meeting April 22, 2008 at the High School.  Budget vote will be held on May 20th, 2008.  He again would like the Town to be more involved with the Ticonderoga School Board Budget process.

 

Members of the audience would like the School Board to schedule meetings in Hague.  Councilman Gladu will ask, but prior meetings that the Ticonderoga School Board held in Hague had a very low attendance.

 

Councilman Meola stated that the Assessor’s office hours are each Monday from 8 am to 4 pm.

 

Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to advertise for the position of Court Clerk.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

2.  Buildings & Grounds (Martucci/Frasier): Councilman Martucci reported on different items that need to be fixed in the Community Center building.  One item is the door in the Town Board room needs to be cut down by ½ inch. 

 

Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Meola to have Lara Smith’s son work 10 hours of Community Service toward his Boy Scout project.  He will be working with Mike Manning on cleaning projects in the Community Center basement and under the porches.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

Donny Smith mentioned that if there are other Boy Scouts who also need Community Service time, he is willing to take the kids around to help clean-up Senior citizens yards from the falling limbs during the ice storm.

 

Councilman Gladu would like to have water testing (CAN) at the Community Center, Town Park, Highway Dept. and Sewer Treatment Plant once a year. 

 

Two proposals were received for Landscaping of the Community Center and Visitor Center:

North Country Landscaping & Design

Community Center:  $800.00

Visitor Center:  $750.00

 

DeFranco Landscaping/Cons., Inc.

Community Center:  $775.00

Visitor Center:  $525.00

  

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to accept DeFranco Landscaping proposal for landscaping the Community Center in the amount of $775.00 and the Visitor Center for $525.00.  The Board will also ask them to complete the triangle on the corner of 9N & Rt. 8.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

           

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

 

4.  Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that no bids were received for a Financial Audit.  A request could be sent in May when the auditors are not as busy.   

 

The Finance Committee met with representatives of Glens Falls National Bank, and TD Banknorth.  The committee recommends TD Banknorth that the proposal by TD Banknorth be accepted as presented.

 

Councilman Meola is concerned that the Town lost thousands of dollars in interest.  We have been only receiving 1.3% on our checking accounts from TD Bank north.

 

Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci that the Town of Hague stays with TD Bank north as their official depository.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Gladu.  NAYS:  R. Meola.  Motion carried.

 

Proposals for Town Insurance are due in by April 23, 2008.

 

5.  Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci):  Councilman Martucci reported that the first quarter report will be prepared by Pat Ida, CPA.  Councilman Gladu will ask the Fire Dept. for a year end report.

 

6.  Highway (Martucci/Gladu):  Superintendent Smith reported that the estimate has been received from the truck that was in the accident during the ice storm. The Highway Department has chipped approximately 100 yards of brush from the storm.

 

Councilman Meola reported that the meeting on the 13th of March with the Highway Dept. was very beneficial.  He would like the Town Highway Committee to work on a plan to improve the Highway Dept.  He feels that training is a necessity.

 

7.  Museum & Historian (Frasier/Meola):  Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Historical Society has been working on a new display case showing the different seasons in Hague.

 

8.  Personnel (Frasier/Gladu):  No report.

 

 9.  Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):  Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by M. Martucci that the members of the Planning and Zoning Board can pick up their packets at the Community Center.  If they can not pick up, they need to call the ZEO to have them mailed.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD

April 8, 2008

 

·         Permits Activity                                          Month             YTD              

Land Use Development                            6                      19                               

Site Plan Review                                       2                      3                                 

Subdivisions                                              0                      0                     

Variance                                                    1                      3                                 

Wastewater                                               1                      1                                 

Wastewater Variances                             0                      0                       

                                                                                       

·         Planning Board: April 3, 2008  In attendance: E J Siwek, Rolly Allen, John Brown, Pam Paterson, Bruce Clark, Dick Frasier, & Marty Fitzgerald, Sr.         They reviewed two new applications, one modification to a previously approved application, reviewed the deeds of a subdivision by Gifts, Devises, & Inheritances, and are continuing to work on code modifications.

        

·         Zoning Board:  March 27, 2008  In attendance: Robert Goetsch, Marty Fitzgerald, Jr., Bill Pittman, Lindsay Mydlarz, Glenn McKee, & Donna Charboneau.  George Ianson – absent.  The ZBA approved two variance applications.

 

·         Zoning Violations: In April I will begin to conduct a Town wide inventory of properties.

 

·         Other Issues:

Application to the Planning Board - Randy Engler is applying to operate a Kayak rental business at the site of the old Sunoco station.   His application states that parking and bathroom facilities will be at the Town Beach.  This in my opinion would need approval of the Town Board.  If a LGPC marina permit is required he would have to have on-site bathroom facilities.

                    

·         Special Commercial Use Zone, Map Amendment -Matt Kendall of the APA has informed me that the Environmental Assessment near completion.  Provided no concerns arise the APA should be conducting a hearing (in Hague) in May. 

 

·         NYDOS Training:  May 14, 2008 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  Brain Grisis, Local Government contact, APA , Erin Thomas Land Use Specialist, and Linda King Land Use Training Specialist will be the presenters. Training topics were chosen based on the desire of the Boards. APA will once again be administering the distribution of the training flyers and reservation for the training session.  See attached flyer for approval.

 

·         Local Government Day- March 25 & 26, 2008  Two members of the Planning Board and I attended various session over the two day conference.  On Tuesday morning the APA conducted a session at their Ray Brook facility.  At the close, we were given a tour of the various departments.  This gave us a chance to meet department heads and ask question of the working of the APA.

 

·         Vacancy - Planning/Zoning Secretary:   Request to be advertised in the Hague Chronicle.  Nancy Young & Judy Stock have been acting secretary. 

The Board authorized the Town Clerk to advertise the position of Planning/Zoning Secretary in the newspaper.

 

The ZEO requested direction from the Town Board whether wastewater systems must be designed by a professional engineer. 

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by M. Martucci to enforce the provisions of Chapter 132 of the Code of the Town of Hague as is presently in effect. AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, E. Frasier & R. Meola.

Motion carried

 

10. Recreation & Youth (Meola/Martucci):  Councilman Meola feels that the chamber of Commerce needs to work more together on the promotion of Hague.  He spoke with a consultant who was willing to work on a plan for promotion of the Town of Hague. 

 

11. Sewer Dist. #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier): Supervisor Belden reported that we should be going out to bid soon for construction of Sewer District #2.  The project could possibly start in September.  There will be signs for no Interstate Traffic.  The road will be open for local residents.

 

12.  Town Park (Meola/Martucci):  No report.

 

13. Transfer Station (Martucci/Gladu):  The committee has met with Casella Waste.  The charge for recyclables has been discussed.  A proposal from Casella should be sent soon.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by Supervisor Belden to send a letter to the Ticonderoga School Board requesting a meeting with The Hague Town Board to review the issue of inequity of school property taxes between the Town of Hague and Ticonderoga.  AYES:  R. Meola, Supervisor Belden.  NAYS:  E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Gladu.  Motion denied.

 

Councilman Gladu explained that we need the State of New York to work on achieving common level of assessment/equalization rates.  He recommends sending a letter on Centralized Property Tax Administration to Lee Kyriacou, ORPS Executive Director.

 

Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by E. Frasier to send a letter to Lee Kyriacou, ORPS Executive Director on Centralized Property Tax Administration.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, E. Frasier, and M. Martucci.  Motion carried.

 

2.  The Board will review the recommended changes to Employees Manual and take action at a later date.

 

3.  RESOLUTION #46 OF 2008

Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu.

 

RESOLUTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #1 OF 2008 ENTITLED, “A Local Law of the Town of Hague defining disturbing of the peace and establishing requirements, pursuant to §130(9) of the New York State Town Law, for the keeping of dogs and the restraining of dogs from running at large within the Town limits, prescribing penalties for violations and repealing the Dog Control Ordinance adopted by the Town of Hague on 7-11-1978

 

RESOLVED,  that the Town Board of the Town of Hague will hold a public hearing on the 10th day of June 2008 at 5:30 pm at the Hague Community Center on proposed Local Law #1 of 2008 entitled ““A Local Law of the Town of Hague defining disturbing of the peace and establishing requirements, pursuant to §130(9) of the New York State Town Law, for the keeping of dogs and the restraining of dogs from running at large within the Town limits, prescribing penalties for violations and repealing the Dog Control Ordinance adopted by the Town of Hague on 7-11-1978.

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

Motion carried.

 

4. RESOLUTION #47 OF 2008

 

RESOLUTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW #2 OF 2008 ENTITLED “A Local Law Regulating Noise.”

 

Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu

 

 

RESOLVED,  that the Town Board of the Town of Hague will hold a public hearing on the 10th day of June, 2008 at 6:00 pm at the Hague Community Center on proposed Local Law #2 of 2008 entitled “A Local Law Regulating Noise”, and be it further

 

Duly adopted by the following vote:

 

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

 

COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:

 

1.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept the gift of the Calliope from Susan Disbrow.  A plaque will be purchased in memory of her husband Winston “Pinky” Disbrow 4/29/1925 – 11/20/2004.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  RESOLUTION # 48 OF 2008

 

RESOLUTION TO AMEND FY 2008 BUDGET

 

Resolution introduced by E. Frasier, and seconded by M. Martucci.

 

 

RESOLVED,  that the fiscal year 2008 budget be amended to increase appropriations

                        A00 7180.420 by $10,000.00 and increase revenues A00 2089 by

$10,000.00 to record the receipt and expenditure of dollars for the Snowmobile contracts.

DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:

 

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

 

 

2.  The Town Board thanked Kathi Ramant and accepted her resignation as Park Attendant for the 2008 summer.

 

3.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to have the Highway Department cut through the bank along Pine Orchard Road to allow the water off the road before it crosses Route 9N.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

4.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Supervisor Belden to sign contract between the Town of Hague & NYS Fire Chiefs Association.  Payment of $590.00 will be made to the Warren County Treasurer who in turn, will remit to the NYS Fire Chiefs Association.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

5.  Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by Supervisor Belden to pay the Fish and Game Club $250.00 out of Occupancy Tax money for advertising & promotion of the Hunter and Safety Course and Blue Grass event.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

SUPERVISORS REPORT & COUNTY REPORTS:

1.  Supervisor Belden reported that the County Board of Supervisors has been discussing the possibility of raising the sales tax in the future.

 

Other:

1.  Councilman Gladu reported that work is still continuing on cell towers.

 

2.  The Board discussed the rentals of single family dwellings.  Further discussion on what to do well follow.

 

3.  Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu that all Town Organizations receiving funds from the Town of Hague need to furnish the Town with a detailed End of the Year report listing of how the money was spent.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT:    

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to adjourn meeting at 8:45 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk