HAGUE TOWN BOARD AUDIT & REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 8, 2011
6:00 PM
Supervisor Belden opened the Audit Meeting at 6:00 PM.
The Board appointed Judy Stock as Clerk.
The Board reviewed the General, Highway, and Sewer warrant.
Supervisor Belden opened the Regular Meeting at 6:30 PM.
Supervisor Dan Belden, Mark Martucci, Rudy Meola, and Edna Frasier were all present. Dick Gladu was absent.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence was held for: Marion Frasier
Guests were welcome and extended the privilege of the floor.
Steve Ramant reported on the Hague Fish & Game Club Fishing Tournament. There were 210 guests registered which is the largest on the Lake with $3500 in prizes and gifts. He thanked the Board for their support. Councilman Meola noted that there was no mention of the Town’s support on the advertising. Steve will bring that up to change for next year.
Mike Cherubini said the the Ticonderoga Board of Education will hold a budget meeting and regular monthly meeting at the Hague Community Center on March 22, 2011 at 7 pm. This date was revised from an earlier one.
Councilman Martucci moved and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to pay the General, Highway and Sewer claims audited at the earlier meeting. All voted yes. Motion carried.
Councilman Meola moved and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to accept the minutes of February 8, 2011. All voted yes. Motion carried.
In the discussion, Councilman Meola noted that on page 3 of the minutes a motion was approved to “review and discuss and consider issuing an ‘After the Fact Permit’ and at another time had said they weren’t going to do it. He asked for a clarification. It was agreed that Councilmen Meola and Gladu should look over some suggestions by ZEO Clark and have the proper language ready for a motion next month.
Regular Committee Report:
1. Assessor & Justice (Gladu/Meola): Councilman Meola reported that the Assessor is working on the exemptions and the assessment roll will be ready for May 1, 2011.
2. Buildings & Grounds/Enhancement (Martucci/Frasier): Councilman Martucci
reported that the tables have been ordered from Northway service and will be
picked up.
Councilman Martucci moved and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to accept the lower bid by Ralph Denno for fixing the sofits at the Highway garage. The Board asked for three bids but only received two. All voted yes. Motion approved. Councilwoman Frasier will send out a letter.
Councilman Meola requested a complete proposal on what is planned for the kitchen rather than approving bits and pieces. Councilwoman Frasier said they did the painting and ordered the tables because they have to be done. They are waiting to hear if a prep sink will be needed. The plan is to put chairs into area where the dishes are. Supervisor Belden noted that those dishes came out of the old Bywater Café and the Beachside Restaurant. Councilman Martucci said they will give a plan of action.
3. Finance & Insurance (Frasier/Martucci):
Supervisor Belden and Councilman Meola have reviewed the annual report and signed it.
4. Fire Department (Gladu/Martucci):
Councilman Martucci reported that the meeting of the Fire Department for tonight was cancelled because of the storm.
5. Highway (Martucci/Gladu):
Superintendent of Highways, Don Smith, reported that they used 1500 tons of salt and 2000 yards of sand. They used almost double what was used last year. They still have some left so should be ok.
Supervisor Belden asked Smith to request that anyone answering the phone at the Highway Garage identify themselves
6. Museum & Historian (Frasier/Martucci):
Councilwoman Frasier noted that the Historical Society has put up a sign box outside the Community Center and that Dennis McDonough had done a good job on it.
7. Personnel (Frasier/Gladu):
Councilwoman Frasier reported that she and Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman Robert Goetsch met with Maureen Cherubini and recommend her appointment to the ZBA. Frasier moved and Councilman Martucci seconded a motion to appoint Maureen Cherubini to the Zoning Board of Appeals. All voted yes. Motion approved.
8. Planning/Zoning/Stormwater (Gladu/Meola):
ZONING REPORT TO TOWN BOARD
March 8, 2011
· Permits Activity Month YTD
· Land Use Development 3 5
· Site Plan Review 0 1
· Subdivisions 0 1
· Variance 2 3
· Wastewater 0 0
· Wastewater Variances 0 0
· Planning Board: March 3, 2011 Planning Board Meeting in attendance: Chair E J Siwek, Pam Peterson, Bruce Clark, Mike Cherubini, John Brown, & Martin Fitzgerald, Sr. Absent: Dick Frasier
The Board deemed the Wilson major subdivision application complete and scheduled a Public Hearing for April 7, 2011.
· Zoning Board: January 27, 2011 ZBA meeting in attendance: Chair Robert Goetsch, Jon Hanna, Bill Pittman, and Christopher Navitsky. Absent: Lindsay Mydlarz. 2 vacancies. The Board reviewed 3 variance requests. All applications were deemed complete and a site visit for March 12th was scheduled for all properties.
· Adirondack Park Local Government Day
1. Request permission to attend the conference (3/22/11 -3-/ 23/11.)
2. Request permission for Jon Hanna, Bill Pittman, Dick Frasier, and EJ Siwek to attend the conference. ($55.75 each)
3. EJ Siwek requests permission to stay over night ($89.00 additional)
9. Recreation, Promotion & Youth (Meola/Martucci):
Supervisor Belden reported that the Governor of New York had taken all money budgeted for youth programs out of the state budget so there will be no state funding available for the program at Silver Bay.
10. Sewer Districts #1 and #2 (Belden/Frasier): No report.
11. Town Park (Meola/Martucci):
Councilman Meola will make a list of needed items to submit to the Board. They discussed one proposal for a plastic garbage can which would cost the town over $550 so they will look for better prices.
12. Transfer Station (Gladu/Meola): No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. RESOLUTION #39 OF 2011
SALES TAX
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY R. Meola, SECONDED BY M. Martucci
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague adopted Resolution #20 of 1994 directing the County of Warren to hold $300,000.00 in sales tax revenues to the Town of Hague to offset the tax levied upon real properties, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague followed this practice each successive year since 1994, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Hague is desirous to discontinue this practice hereafter, NOW THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, that effective with the 2012 fiscal year, the County of Warren shall not retain any of the Town of Hague’s shares of the sales tax, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town of Hague’s share of tax apportioned by the county of Warren be forwarded to the Town of Hague as provided by the applicable agreement, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk of the Town of Hague is hereby directed, to immediately forward a certified copy of this resolution to the Chief Fiscal Officer of the County of Warren.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, M. Martucci, and E. Frasier
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: March 8, 2011
Motion carried.
2. RESOLUTION #44 OF 2011
Acceptance of Ownership of Sewer District #1
Resolution introduced by M. Martucci, seconded by E. Frasier
RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board authorize Supervisor Belden to sign the certificate of acceptance of ownership of Sewer District #1 correcting the certificate dated January 12, 2007.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Meola
NAYS: None
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: March 8, 2011
Motion approved.
3. RESOLUTION #45 OF 2011
Acceptance of Ownership of Sewer District #2
Resolution introduced by E. Frasier, seconded by M. Martucci
RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board authorizes Supervisor Belden to sign the certificate of acceptance of ownership of Sewer District #2.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Meola
NAYS: None
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: March 8, 2011
Motion approved.
4. Councilman Frasier made and Councilwoman Martucci seconded a motion to authorize attendance to the APA Local Government Day Conference in Lake Placid on March 22-23, 2011 for Maureen Cherubini, Mike Cherubini, EJ Siwek [overnight], Cathy Clark [overnight], Bill Pittman, Jon Hanna and Dick Frasier. All voted yes. Motion approved.
COMMUNICATIONS & PETITIONS:
1. Councilman Meola made and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to commit to support of $500 for Pride of Ticonderoga as requested in their letter dated 2/17/11. They need additional support because their funding has been cut. This amount is not a budget item and will be taken out of the Town contingency funds. All voted yes. Motion approved.
2. Councilman Meola made and Councilman Martucci seconded a motion to approve specific requests for the May 28, 2011 Memorial Day Parade from the Hague Senior Citizens Club in their letter dated February 10, 2011. All voted yes. Motion approved. A letter will be sent to them.
They requested that the Town Board:
Ask for permission to utilize the David Darrin and James Leach parking lots.
Arrange to have the Parade Banner posted at the bridge by May 10, 2011.
Arrange for Road Closings as advised by the HVFD.
Request Sheriff’s Department Traffic Control during the parade from 2 pm to 3:30 pm.
Close the Boat Launch from noon to 4 pm for safety reasons.
Have No Parking on Route 8 along the brook side in Village (rope off by 8 am).
Confirm the Parade Insurance Coverage for that day for the Town and Senior Club.
Grant permission to the Senior Club to use the Tourist Building at the Beach for Food Concession.
NEW BUSINESS
1. RESOLUTION #40 OF 2011
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY M. Martucci, SECONDED BY E. Frasier
AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF SMART GROWTH GRANT APPLICATION
WHEREAS: The Department of Environmental Conservation is soliciting applications for the Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program. This resolution authorizes the signing of a grant application and, upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a state assistance contract in connection with the Adirondack Community Smart Growth Program.
RESOLVED: That Ronald Conover, as Supervisor of the Town of Bolton, is hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the Adirondack Community Smart Growth Program of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, in an amount not to exceed $80,000, with no grant match required; and
Involve the municipal partners of the Village of Lake George, the Town of Lake George, the Town of Bolton, and the Town of Hague; and
Upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a state assistance contract with the Department of Environmental Conservation for such financial assistance to the Town of Bolton.
The grant proposes to develop a Trails Master Plan for the Lake George Watershed. It will provide a comprehensive inventory of the public hiking trails in the Lake George watershed boundary and a detailed trails master plan for the west side of the lake. This will include graphics showing the public trail heads, lake access points, public docking areas, links to downtown business districts, trolley stops, various attractions, and recreational, historic and cultural resources. The project is an economic development initiative that seeks to provide a trail system that becomes a destination in itself and drives new visitor dollars to the area.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Meola
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: MARCH 8, 2011
Motion approved.
2. Councilman Meola made and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to authorize the DCO/ACO to attend Annual ACO/DCO Conference in Guilderland on May 10 - 11, 2011. All voted yes. Motion was approved so if Dan Steitz is interested, he can go.
3. RESOLUTION #41 OF 2011
RESOLUTION FOR THE TOWN OF HAGUE TO DECLARE INTENT TO BE LEAD AGENCY FOR SEQRA REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED REVISED ZONING CODE MODIFICATIONS
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY: E. Frasier, SECONDED BY: M. Martucci
WHEREAS, the Town of Hague administers a Approved Local Land Use Program, in conjunction with the Adirondack Park Agency,
WHEREAS, the Town Board recognized the need to update and revise the Zoning Codes of Hague to provide for a variety of housing opportunities and protect the property values and aesthetics of the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to amend the Zoning Codes of the Town of Hague.
WHEREAS, the amendments include, amendments to: Section 160-50 Shorelines, Section 160-52 Fences, Section 160-58 Travel Trailers and Section 160-10 Definition, Travel trailers or Travel Vehicles and the addition of Section 160-50.1 Wetlands. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board hereby declares its intent to be Lead Agency for SEQRA review of the proposed revised Zoning Codes of the Town of Hague and directs the Town Clerk to send copies of the proposed amendments and copy of this Resolution stating the Town Board’s intention to be Lead Agency for SEQRA review, to the Adirondack Park Agency and Warren County Planning Board as required by law.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, M. Martucci, and R. Meola
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: March 8, 2011
Motion approved. [ZEO Clark said that in 30 days if there are no objections, the Town Board will actually declare itself as lead agent.]
4. RESOLUTION #42 OF 2011
RESOLUTION INTRODUCED BY M .Martucci, SECONDED BY E. Fraiser
Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages (AATV)
Supports the Town of Long Lake Resolution in
Opposition to Fee Purchase of Former Finch and Follensby Pond Lands
By the State of New York
Whereas, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased 161,000 acres known as the Finch Pruyn (Finch) Timberlands several years ago with the intent of selling 89,000 acres in conservation easements and 65,000 acres (to be added to the state forest preserve) of said land in fee to the State of New York (State), and
Whereas, the State and TNC have recently completed a deal on the 89,000 acre conservation easements that maintain productive forestry practices and enjoy the support of local governments that were directly impacted by providing said communities with several thousand acres in recreational enhancements, and
Whereas, the State of New York has indicated its desire to now purchase more than 60,000 acres of the former Finch timberlands and an additional 15,000 acres of the Follensby Pond timberlands in fee from TNC, and
Whereas, those supportive communities now find themselves confronted with an unparalleled economic depression and whose constituents simply do not support the state buying more land at a time when people are facing job losses and all levels of government are cutting vital services, and
Whereas, no statutory guarantee currently exists requiring New York State to pay local property taxes on state land to municipalities, and
Whereas, the Adirondack Park Agency (APA) is charged with the responsibility of determining state agency compliance with the Adirondack State Land Master Plan (SLMP) and to engage in a continuing planning process which recognizes matters of local concern, and
Whereas, the SLMP provides that "due to the importance of the forest products industry to the economy of the Adirondack region, bulk acreage purchases in fee should not normally be made where highly productive forest land is involved, unless such land is threatened with development that would curtail its use for forestry purposes or its value for the preservation of open space or of wildlife habitat."; and
Whereas, the former Finch lands and the Follensby Pond lands are both highly productive forestlands, and neither are threatened with imminent development that would curtail its value of open space; and
Whereas, the proposed purchase of the Follensby lands will be partially funded by federal Forest Legacy program funds designed to purchase and protect working forests, and is not designed to fund fee acquisition lands where forestry would be prohibited; and
Whereas, the State currently faces unprecedented financial challenges that will require cutting five (5) billion dollars from state education and Medicaid programs this year alone, and with the loss of thousands of state jobs the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is unable to properly maintain and manage existing, no less any newly acquired, lands due to staff reductions, and
Whereas, the education of our children, taking care of the less fortunate and protecting the environment by using Environmental Protection Funds to upgrade sewer and water projects must be priority one - not more land purchases - particularly when the State already owns millions of acres of Forest Preserve,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT;
Resolved, that the Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages supports the Town of Long Lake’s opposition to the fee acquisition by the state of the former Finch and Follensby Pond lands; urges the APA to insure compliance with the SLMP by opposing the proposed DEC fee purchase of productive timberland; and urges Governor Cuomo to directly intercede on behalf of the taxpayers of New York by directing his state agencies to reject the proposed purchase of the former Finch and Follensby lands; and it is further
Resolved, that the Adirondack Association of Towns & Villages requests Governor Cuomo to take this opportunity to develop a strategy that takes into consideration the long-term financial obligations of acquiring additional lands; and the economic and social impact on Adirondack communities before any additional purchases of state lands are authorized, and it is further
Resolved, that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Tom Di Napoli, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Senator Elizabeth Little, Senator Hugh Farley, Senator James Seward, Senator Joseph Griffo, Senator Roy McDonald, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Assemblywoman Teresa Sayward, Assemblywoman Janet Duprey, Assemblyman David Townsend, DEC Commissioner Joe Martens, DEC Region 5 Director Betsy Lowe, DEC Region 6 Director Judy Drabicki,.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, M. Martucci, E. Frasier, and R. Meola
NAYS: None
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: MARCH 8, 2011
Motion approved.
5. RESOLUTION #43 OF 2011
Resolution introduced by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier
RESOLVED, that the Hague Town Board authorizes the Attorney for the Town, Dominick Viscardi to sign a stipulation in the legal action relating to third parties involved in a sewer valve dispute.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES: Supervisor Belden, R. Meola, E. Frasier, M. Martucci.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: R. Gladu
DATED: March 8, 2011
Motion approved.
6. Councilman Martucci made and Councilwoman Frasier seconded a motion to approve having Debbie Manning send a letter to the users in Sewer District #2 with information on an additional fee. The motion was approved 3-0 with Supervisor Belden abstaining since he is in the district.
7. Supervisor Belden noted that the Board Room has been painted and other rooms need it. The Board agreed to take a look around and see how many rooms need to be painted.
SUPERVISORS REPORT & COUNTY REPORTS:
Supervisor Belden discussed problems with NYS mandate reform and budgets.
He reported that Warren County Sales Tax revenue is up this February compared to last year.
Supervisor Belden made and Councilwoman Martucci seconded a motion to approve vacation days in April for ZEO Clark. All voting yes. Motion carried.
The Supervisor reported that the Cell tower is up and they are just waiting for Niagara Mohawk to get the power in. In relation to the amount that the Town will be paid, Supervisor Belden said we should have looked at more proposals and acknowledged that Councilman Meola was right about that.
Cathy Clark noted that the snowblower being used for the sidewalks is one which belongs to the Sewer Plant. She suggested that when it needs to be replaced the Town should pay for it rather than the Sewer Districts.
Councilman Meola made and Councilman Martucci seconded a motion to adjourn. All voted yes. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Stock,
Acting Clerk