HAGUE TOWN BOARD
AUDIT PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING
January 13, 2009
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 Board reviewed the bills for the month.
Motion by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier to close the meeting at 6:30 pm.
All voting yes. Motion carried.
Supervisor Belden opened the regular meeting at 6:30 pm.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence was held for: Bessie Yaw, Howard Hayes, Barbara Baldwin and Roland "Mac" MacDowell.
The Supervisor extended the privilege of the floor to the following guests:
Doug Sham - representing the Silver Bay After School Program
Doug reported on the important enrichment work of the daily After School Program which currently serves about 250 students from Ticonderoga, Moriah, Crown Point and Hague. He indicated that funding for this program, which is in its fifth year, may be cut and he urged everyone to contact state legislators to let them know how much it is needed. He left information for people to pick up.
Supervisor Belden said he would sign a letter of support from the Town.
Graham Bailey reported that during the past week there have been break-ins in houses in Arcady, Friends Point and Forest Bay. He wanted to make sure the public was alerted.
Steve Ramant thanked the Board for the $1000 for the Fish & Game fishing tournament to be held on Saturday, February 28th and Sunday, March 1st.
Rudy Meola made, and Dick Gladu seconded, a motion that Judy Stock be appointed acting clerk for the night to take minutes for Debbie Manning. All voting yes. Carried.
Dick Gladu made, and Rudy Meola seconded, a motion to approve the bills that were audited this evening before the regular meeting. All voting yes. Carried.
The Supervisor asked for a motion to accept the minutes of December 9, 2008, December 29, 2008 and January 5, 2009.
Dick Gladu suggested changing the mileage rate for 2009. The Board agreed to leave it at 40 cents per mile.
Rudy Meola referred to the January 5th Organizational meeting minutes on page 3, Resolution #19. He stated that the money was not the Town of Hague money - it was the money from Warren County and the amount was increased by $1000.
Rudy Meola referred to the January 5th Organizational meeting minutes on page 3, Resolution #21. For clarification, the money going to the Chamber is from the County Occupancy Tax not the Town of Hague.
Rudy Meola referred to the January 5th Organizational meeting minutes on page 5, Resolution #40. He stated that clarification was needed because there are two positions with the same name - Clerk to the Assessor and on page 6 - Assessor Clerk. Dick Gladu suggested that the first title be changed to "Clerk to the Assessor Trainee".
Rudy Meola made, and Dick Gladu seconded, a motion to change the title. All voting yes. Carried.
The Supervisor asked for a vote on accepting the minutes with the changes made. All voting yes. Carried.
Regular Committee Reports:
Committee Reports:
1. Assessor/Justice (Gladu/Meola):
Councilman Gladu reported that they are going through the study on equalization. He also noted that with the current state budget problems there is a proposal to have the state lands remain fixed at the current tax levy. Supervisor Belden suggested , "Maybe we should draw up a letter and send it to the politicians in Albany to tell them that we oppose the Governor's [tax] cap on state lands." He further noted that the County has already passed a resolution that they oppose it. Mr. Gladu said he and Assessor Martucci will work on a letter and run it by the Board first.
Assessor Dave Martucci said the new clerk trainee is working out well. He requested permission for them both to attend further training sessions at the end of this month. D. Gladu made a motion for the Assessor and Clerk to attend the meeting on January 28 & 29, 2009. M. Martucci seconded. All voting yes. Carried.
2. Buildings & Grounds/Enhancement (Martucci/Frasier):
Councilman Martucci reported that an evaluation will be done in the next month to see what still needs to be done with the building. The work on the front steps has been authorized and they are waiting for the carpenter to do it.
Councilwoman Frasier mentioned that Jared will be here next Tuesday at 5:30 pm to go over the Veterans Memorial Park plans before the regular meeting.
Supervisor Belden noted that the 3 Enhancement grants that they have been awarded (on parking lots and town entrances) have not been released from the NYS Comptroller's office and therefore no contracts have been signed. The grants are for matching funds which the Town must provide for using money or goods and services.
3. Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci):
Councilwoman Frasier noted that interest rates are down so there is not much more that can be done.
Councilman Meola noted that under State law, the Town should have an investment policy which should be renewed annually. Councilwoman Frasier said that an investment policy is one item they plan to discuss with the independent auditor. Mr. Dinolfo has not yet indicated when he will return to continue his work in Hague.
Councilman Meola made a motion to provide direct deposit for the paychecks for Town employees. Seconded by R. Gladu. All voting yes. Carried.
4. Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci):
The committee reported that many members of the HVFD continue to attend lots of training sessions.
5. Highway (Martucci/Gladu):
Highway Superintendent Don Smith said that his first priority has been the roads and as soon as he can he'll get the equipment from the sewer plant to plow the sidewalks downtown. Councilmen Gladu and Meola stressed that the sidewalks need to be done as soon as possible after a snowstorm for safety considerations.
Councilman Meola reported that he had received several messages from residents who feel that the roads need to be better maintained after it snows. He noted that there seems to be a discrepancy between the condition of Routes 9N and 8 in Hague and the part if those roads in neighboring towns. He said that a document from the State clearly indicates the DOT maintenance standards to be used. Mr. Gladu said that the Highway Committee has the document and plans to go over it with the members of the Highway Department. Gladu stressed that maintenance is important for the safety factors.
A discussion ensued about the quality of the water at the various Town venues (community center, highway shed, town park, etc). Councilman Meola requested that a water cooler be placed at the Highway Department. Councilman Gladu will put a proposal together for the Board for testing and measures that are needed.
Councilman Martucci reported on cost saving measures that are being implemented relating to fuel costs for heating and the trucks.
6. Museum & Historian (Frasier/Martucci):
Councilwoman Frasier reported that the Historical Society is planning a program for March and that they are working on a possible marker for Graphite so that people are aware that there was once a community there. They are also working with Jerry on the Lakes to Locks program.
7. Personnel (Frasier/Gladu):
Councilman Frasier noted that ZEO Clark has requested vacation time from March 11 - 20, 2009. Councilman Gladu made, and Councilman Martucci seconded, a motion to approve this vacation time. All voting yes. Carried.
Councilman Meola suggested that additional training should be given to the office staff so that the financial reports could be done if one was absent.
8. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):
ZEO report: As attached
A proposed change on rentals in Hague is in the hands of the APA and after their comments are received, it will be submitted to the Board.
Concern was expressed about the new APA rules. One problem is how they apply to tiny streams. ZEO Clark noted that these streams "start nowhere and they end nowhere" but if they have continuous flow for all but 30 days they are subject to the regulations. She said, "If they only map a few it will be unjust enforcement on the ones they didn't catch."
Other concerns were expressed as to how the new APA regulations might affect property values. In the discussion it was suggested that letters from the Town be written in opposition to the new regulations.
9. Recreation, Promotion & Youth (Meola/Martucci):
Councilman Meola will attend a county meeting on Youth programs on the 21st.
On promotion, Dick Gladu, Rudy Meola and Bob Patchett have agreed to serve on a committee to review the comprehensive plan.
Councilman Gladu noted that many other areas can be looked at under the umbrella of the Comprehensive Plan which will be discussed later in the meeting.
10. Sewer District #1 & #2 (Belden/Frasier):
There will be meeting next Tuesday on Sewer #2.
11. Town Park (Meola/Martucci):
Councilman Meola wants to remind everyone that the only Beach parking stickers that are valid for town residents are the green ones. The old yellow or red ones are no longer valid.
12. Transfer Station (Gladu/Meola):
The Town will request a copy of the year end DEC report from Casella.
The Transfer Committee has the names of 2 other providers along with Casella from whom to get proposals to run the Transfer Station when the current contract is up.
Unfinished Business:
1. Councilman Martucci made, and Councilman Meola seconded, a motion to bid for Item 4, sifted sand and bank run per yard. All voting yes. Carried. A notice will be put in the Glens Falls paper and in the Times of Ti with a cut off date of March 15.
2. Councilman Gladu made, and Councilman Meola seconded, a motion to appoint Richard Frasier as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Board for a term to expire on December 31, 2009. Belden, Gladu, Martucci and Meola all voting yes, Frasier abstained. Motion passed 4-0-1.
3. Councilman Meola made, and Councilman Gladu seconded, a motion to appoint Martin Fitzgerald, II as Deputy Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals for a term to expire on December 31, 2009. All voting yes. Carried.
Communications & Petitions:
1. There will be a meeting with Elan Planners on the Hague Veterans Memorial Park, January 20, 2009 at 5:30 pm followed by an informational meeting about Sewer District #2 at 6:30 pm.
New Business:
1. Resolution #42 of 2009, "To Transfer Monies for 2009 Budget", was introduced by Edna Frasier and seconded by Rudy Meola. Ayes: Dick Gladu, Mark Martucci, Rudy Meola, Dan Belden, Edna Frasier. Nays: none Absent: none. Passed 5-0.
One-third of the salaries of Tim Costello and Bo O'Leary will be paid by the new funds in Sewer District #2. The funds will be paid back to the General Fund.
2. Town Board Governance Memo of 12/1/08 and 12/31/08 by Councilman Meola are adjourned to a future executive session with the Town Attorney to be present. The Board will meet at 5 pm on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
3. Resolution #43 of 2009, " To Amend the 2009 Budget", was introduced by Rudy Meola and seconded by Mark Martucci. Ayes: Dick Gladu, Mark Martucci, Rudy Meola, Dan Belden, Edna Frasier. Nays: none Absent: none. Passed 5-0.
This money is a pass through grant from the County to the Snowmobile Club.
4. Resolution #44 of 2009, giving "Authority to Open Accounts & Deposit & Withdraw Funds" was introduced by Rudy Meola and seconded by Dick Gladu. Ayes: Dick Gladu, Mark Martucci, Rudy Meola, Dan Belden, Edna Frasier. Nays: none Absent: none. Passed 5-0.
This resolution will allow Supervisor Daniel D. Belden, Deputy Supervisor Edna A. Frasier and Secretary to the Supervisor, Diane M. Trudeau to sign checks and withdraw funds and may do so with a facsimile signature.
5. A motion was made by Mark Martucci and seconded by Rudy Meola to authorize the Hague Supervisor and Highway Superintendent to sign a Shared Service Agreement with the Town of Ticonderoga for plowing, salting and sanding of Hayford Road.
There are no funds involved but this agreement will establish a paper trail in case of any problems. All voting yes. Carried.
6. The Town Board set the date of February 10, 2009 for a public hearing on the Telecommunication proposal. The Board will convene at 5:30 pm for their audit meeting, followed by the Telecommunication hearing at 6 pm and then the regular Town Board meeting at 6:30 pm.
7. The Board discussed the memo of January 7, 2009 from Councilman Gladu. In the memo, he suggested that they need to look at several issues and put together a structured plan for addressing them over the next year. He noted earlier that there are many issues from a Planning and Zoning standpoint (among them are code upgrades, new regulations, local law enforcement, training, etc).
He suggests that Supervisor Belden ask each Town Board committee to come up with a list of prioritized challenges which could be followed up with a set of structured plans to be reviewed monthly. Councilman Meola suggested that each Councilman come up with recommendations as well. Councilman Gladu said that all suggestions should be welcome as well as those from the public. He said the prioritizing is necessary so that the Town Board can balance the needs of the residents and employees with the current financial environment. It is hoped that these suggestions can be made in writing by the next Board meeting.
Persons who have suggestions should send in ideas in writing to the Supervisor at PO Box 509, Hague, NY 12836 or by email to <supervisor@townofhague.org> or give them to any Board member.
8. Chris Navitsky, Lake George Waterkeeper, suggested that there is another side to the proposed stream corridor protection regulations. The regulations are important for water quality. What is in place now is not working. Development will not slow down. More discussion ensued on the topic.
9. Councilwoman Frasier noted that the Board had agreed to have the agenda completed by Friday but again there were items added in an addendum.
Adjournment
Councilwoman Frasier made a motion, seconded by Mark Martucci, to adjourn the meeting. All voting yes. Carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Stock,
Acting Clerk