HAGUE TOWN BOARD AUDIT & REGULAR
MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2008
6:00 PM
Members present: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Meola, R. Gladu, and M. Martucci.
Supervisor Belden called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.
The Town Board reviewed the bills.
Councilman Meola questioned the voucher from the Black Watch Library. The Town agreed to pay the library $2,500.00 and the voucher is only for $1,500.00. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Edna Frasier to call the Black Watch Library and question their voucher. The Warrant will reflect the change. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Moment of Silence: Bea Frasier, Gladys Dunklee Drake, & Henry Summa.
Welcome Guests/Privilege of the floor:
Bob Schwarz reported on the unfairness and imbalance of the Ticonderoga School Taxes. He is urging the residents of the Town of Hague to help him in this endeavor. He has met with Superintendent McDonald on this issue. He reported that in 1979 the Town of Hague was paying 29.4% of School tax in 2007 the Town was paying 53%. This is an 80% increase.
Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci to pay Claims audited at tonight’s meeting. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by R. Gladu to accept minutes of September 9, 16, 17, 30, October 6 & 8 of 2008. September 9, 2008 minutes page 4 under Personnel: add 20 hours a month to motion of hiring a part time clerk. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Councilman Meola would like the Board to develop language addressing the relationship between underdeveloped building lots and the annual capital payments when they are subdivided. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by M. Martucci to approve minutes of 8/12/08 and 8/26/2008 with changes to page 9 of 8/26/08 (Each residence or EDU will pay an annual user fee and an annual capital payment. Underdeveloped lots will pay an annual fee of 20% of the user fee and an annual capital payment.). All voting yes. Motion carried.
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier to promote William O’Leary to a full time position effective 1/1/2009 as Sewer Treatment Plant Operator. He in addition will also serve as Clerk of the Works as Sewer District #2 is being built. The job description is forthcoming. All voting yes. Motion carried. (Motion rescinded on 11-10-08)
Motion by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier to pay William O’Leary $20.00 per hour for carpenter work. All voting yes. Motion carried. (Minutes rescinded to read $25.00 per hour for carpenter work 11-09-08)
Regular Committee Report:
1. Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Gladu reported that Mike Swan had prepared a study of centralized property tax administration for Warren County. There is a host of issues in regards to this. The Assessor and Councilman Gladu will be drafting a letter to Mike Swan, WC Real Property addressing this issue.
Councilman Meola would like a letter sent to the Assessor and also put in his Personnel file stating his new office hour schedule.
2. Buildings & Grounds (Martucci/Frasier): Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to hire ALL PRO Restoration Services:
Antimicrobial Spray………….$150.00
Mold Remediation……………$450.00
Dispososal & Clean up……….$ 90.00
Equipment & Containment…..$210.00
TOTAL $900.00
North Country Janitorial Inc.
Carpet Cleaning …..$875.00
Community Center Main Room 4 coats of a finish designed for wood $825.00
AYES: Supervisor Belden, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Gladu.
NAYS: R. Meola
Motion carried.
3. Enhancement Committee (Frasier/Meola): Councilwoman Frasier reported that we are still awaiting word for Elan Planners on the Veterans Park project.
4. Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci): There will be a Budget Workshop Meeting on Friday October 10, 2008 at 4:00 pm.
5. Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci): Councilman Gladu reported that there will be an 11% increase to the Fire Department Budget for 2009.
6. Highway (Martucci/Gladu): The Highway Department has been hauling sand. They will be having someone check the generator at the Highway Department. There are logs up at the Highway Department. Superintendent Smith would like to hire Don Meserve to cut logs for sideboards for the salt shed. Mark Martucci will get more prices and bring this back to the Board.
Councilman Gladu reported that the Highway Committee had asked the Highway Superintendent to address three check point concerns by the end of October. We as a Board need to document this. The catch basin on Pine Cove Road needs to be rechecked.
7. Museum & Historian (Frasier/Meola): Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Historical Societies program was excellent. They did a great job. Jerry Crammond, Historian stressed the need to have the threshold repaired between his room and the vault.
8. Personnel (Frasier/Gladu): The committee will interview for the opening of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
9. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):
ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD
OCTOBER 14, 2008
· Permits Activity Month YTD
Land Use Development 6 65
Site Plan Review 0 9
Subdivisions 1 4
Variance 1 10
Wastewater 1 7
Wastewater Variances 0 0
· Planning Board: October 2, 2008
Chair: Ej Siwek, Bruce Clark, Pam Peterson, Martin Fitzgerald Sr.,
John Brown, & Dick Frasier in attendance. Absent: Rolly Allen
The Board reviewed two subdivisions, one referral to the ZBA, and approved a boat storage / recreational building. Other issues discussed were a request to bring the Firehouse Restaurant back to the Planning Board to address the issue of noise. The Board agreed to the request. The board scheduled a Site Visit to the Rypkema property for Monday, Oct. 6th at 3:00 pm.
· Zoning Board: August 28, 2008 In attendance: Acting Chair: Glenn McKee, Bill Pittman, Lindsay Mydlarz, & George Ianson.
Absent: Robert Goetsch & Martin Fitzgerald II, One Vacancy
The board approved a request for an addition to an existing structure 44’ from a stream. They also deemed an application complete and scheduled a site visit Oct, 1 at 4:30 pm.
· APA Map Amendment for Decker hill Road was approved on Thursday, October 9, 2008, by the APA Board. This completes a request from Robert and Kathleen Maiaro received by the Town, dated January 28, 2005, Town Board Resolution #52 of 2005. Due to the fact that a Map Amendment was requested instead of the original rezoning of the area the Town was saved the expense of completing a Full Environmental Assessment, which would have run in the thousands of dollars.
· Town Board needs to rescind either Resolution # 73 of 2007 or Resolution
# 66 of 2008, Training for Planning & Zoning Board of Appeals. ZEO recommendation is to keep the 2007 Mandatory Training Resolution # 73.
· ZEO will hold in house training session for board members who have not completed training. The Department of State has provided a power point presentation and handout to use. Date to be announced.
· Zoning Violations: Stormwater violation- dirt entering a stream- corrected.
· Other Issues: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 GIS training for ZEO, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm, at Warren County offices.
· Vacancy – one vacancy on the ZBA. Two applications received.
10. Recreation Promotion & Youth (Meola/Martucci): Councilman Meola reported that funding for the recreational programs through the County might be cut.
Motion by Supervisor Belden, seconded by R. Gladu to authorize Rudy Meola to set up a Town Christmas Committee. All voting yes. Motion carried.
11. Sewer Dist. #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier): Supervisor Belden reported that the contract with AP Reale for Sewer District #2 should be signed Friday. There will be a Construction meeting to follow.
12. Town Park (Meola/Martucci):
13. Transfer Station (Martucci/Gladu): Motion by R. Gladu, seconded by E. Frasier to pay Casella Waste $432.00 for the replacing of fence at the Transfer Station. All voting yes. Motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Motion by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier to rescind Resolution #66 of 2008. A form of this Resolution has already been passed. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Gladu to close the Comment period as of October 10, 2008 for the Sewer District #2, pursuant to Resolution #74 of 2008, petition to Comptroller to increase the amount to be expended for Sewer District #2. Three comments were received in support of Sewer District #2. 1 from Friends Point, Pine Cove, and Forest Bay. All voting yes. Motion carried.
3. Public Hearing on Preliminary Budget: 11/3/2008 @ 6:30 pm at the Hague Community Center
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by R. Gladu to grant permission to Deb & Mike Manning to be off on vacation from November 10 – 18, 2008. All voting yes. Motion carried.
2. A letter was received 9/18/08 from NYS DOT. They have determined that no action is needed in regards to truck traffic on Rt. 9N.
3. A letter was received 10/3/08 from Dept. of State: No grants available through the Environmental Protection Fund-Local Waterfront Revitalization Program for sewer extension.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. RESOLUTION #75 OF 2008
“LAKE GEORGE PLAN FOR THE FUTURE”
Resolution introduced by R. Gladu, and seconded by R. Meola.
WHEREAS, the environmental health and overall quality of life in the Lake George Watershed area is critical to the social and economic well being of the Town of Hague, Warren County, and the region in general, and
WHEREAS, the protection, preservation and proper management of water quality within the basin is an essential ingredient to maintaining this revered natural resource as a key to the social and economic vitality of this region, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague has been an active participant in developing the critically important water quality management plan, and
WHEREAS, the adopted document, entitled “Lake George—Plan for the Future” identifies numerous recommendations and actions as being critical to pursing the objectives of preserving, protecting, and enhancing the water quality throughout the Basin, several of which will require the engagement of contract services to execute these recommendations, and
WHEREAS, the State has recently awarded a grant in the amount of $500,000 to the Town of Queensbury, on behalf of all participating municipalities in the Lake George Watershed Basin, that carries with it the requirement of a local match, which will take the form of services in kind, as well as matching funds, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague wishes to contribute its fair share, along with other municipalities throughout the Basin to this critically important program to be able to take advantage of the aforementioned State funding, Now therefore be it,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague confirms it shall provide an amount of $7,000.00 to this endeavor, which funds will be forwarded to the Town of Queensbury, in its capacity as administrator for this particular grant program.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, E. Frasier, and M. Martucci.
Motion carried.
2. RESOLUTION #76 OF 2008
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT TO LUMP SUM MUNICIPAL SNOW AND ICE AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF NEW YORK
Resolution introduced by M. Martucci, and seconded by E. Frasier
WHEREAS, by Resolution #15 of 1991 the Town of Hague entered into a Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement with New York State Department of Transportation, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague is negotiating renewal of the contract with the New York State Department of Transportation, and
WHEREAS, the Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement shall be $4681.25 per lane mile 50.5 lane mile for a total of $236,403.12 for the 2008/2009 season and for the remainder of the term of the agreement commencing July 1, 2008, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED that the Supervisor of the Town of Hague be, and hereby is, authorized to execute and deliver a Lump Sum Municipal Snow and Ice Agreement on behalf of the Town of Hague with the New York State Department of Transportation.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, and R. Meola.
Motion carried.
3. RESOLUTION #77 OF 2008
THE TOWN OF HAGUE SHARE OF SALES TAX TO BE APPLIED TO THE COUNTY BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009.
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, SECONDED BY M. Martucci
WHEREAS, the Town Board currently leaves $300,000 at the County to be paid in two installments of $150,000 each from the first and second quarter payments, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is desirous to continue to leave $300,000 at the County but wishes to change the installments of $150,000 each to be paid on the second and third quarter. Now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of the Town of Hague be and is hereby directed to immediately forward a certified copy of this resolution to Warren County Administrative & Fiscal Services and the Warren County Treasurer
Duly adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, M. Martucci, R. Gladu, and E. Frasier.
Motion carried.
4. RESOLUTION #78 OF 2008
The HAGUE TOWN BOARD Objects to the Loss of Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. GLADU, SECONDED BY R. MEOLA
WHEREAS, the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund was established through Chapter 78 of the Laws of 1989; and
WHEREAS, this law provided for a $5 surcharge on every document recorded in the County Clerks Office throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, the revenues collected were dedicated to fund competitive records management grants administered by the State Archives; and
WHEREAS, this grant program has had tremendous positive impacts in counties, towns, cities, school districts and special districts throughout NYS awarding $168 million to 8500 local governments since its inception; and
WHEREAS, in March, 2008, a little known provision of the State Budget allowed $500,000 of these dedicated funds to be “swept” into the State’s general fund; and
WHEREAS, an additional 6% of “unexpended” funds has now been reduced from grants awarded from this dedicated fund;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board asks the State Legislature to recognize that these funds are local funds raised by local clerks for local government and dedicated by the Senate and Assembly for a specific valuable purpose; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board requests that no further “sweeping” or other transferring of money from this valuable dedicated fund be permitted, and be it further
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Patterson, and the membership of both the Senate and Assembly of New York State.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, R. Meola, M. Martucci, and E. Frasier
Motion carried.
5. RESOLUTION #79 OF 2008
INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH WARREN COUNTY
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, SECONDED BY M. Martucci
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Hague is hereby authorized to enter into an Intermunicipal Agreement with Warren County for the construction of Sewer District No. 2.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Gladu.
Motion carried.
6. RESOLUTION #80 OF 2008
RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE SUPERVISOR TO TRANSFER FUNDING TO WARREN COUNTY FOR SEWER DISTRICT #2
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, and seconded by E. Frasier
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the supervisor to transfer EFC
monies received by the Town of Hague in the amounts necessary for funding of payments to the contractor for Sewer District #2 to Warren County.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, E. Frasier, R. Gladu, and M. Martucci.
Motion carried.
7. RESOLUTION #81 OF 2008
RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2008 CAPITAL FUND IMPROVEMENTS
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Gladu, AND SECONDED BY M. Martucci
RESOLVED, that the Town Board amend the Town Budget for fiscal year 2008 by
decreasing Capital Fund Improvements Storm-water H00 8090-200 by $15,000 and increasing Capital Fund Improvements Building & Grounds for Community Center H00 1620-100 Personal Services by $5,000 and increasing H00 1620-200 for decking by $10,000.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, M. Martucci, R. Gladu, and E. Frasier
Motion carried.
8. RESOLUTION #82 OF 2008
RESOLUTION TO AMEND THE 2008 HIGHWAY BUDGET
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. GLADU, AND SECONDED BY E. FRASIER
RESOLVED, that the Town Board amend the Town Budget for fiscal year 2008 by
Decreasing Highway Item III - Equipment Rental DA0 5130.410 by $1700, decrease Machinery small tools DA0 5130-200 by $1000 and Machinery DA0 5130-210 machinery large tools by $3500 and increasing Highway Item III DA0 5130-400 Machinery Repairs by $6200.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Gladu, E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Meola.
Motion carried.
SUPERVISORS REPORT & COUNTY REPORTS:
Supervisor Belden reported that the Town of Hague’s share of the County budget is at 2.47%. We have lost sales tax revenue.
Other:
Councilman Gladu reported that the Town of Hague website has been receiving 90 hits a day.
Councilman Gladu also mentioned that the proposition for the proposed Noise Local Law will be on the November 4, 2008 ballot.
Councilman Meola reported that the Dog Control Local Law has been filed and recorded with the Department of State.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to adjourn meeting at 7:50 pm. All voting yes. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah F. Manning, Hague Town Clerk