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Regular Meeting May 10, 2004 Charlton Town Board Saratoga County New York After the pledge to the flag, the invocation was given by Town Historian Laura Linder. At the regular meeting of the Town Board of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York held at 7:30 P.M. at the Charlton Town Hall, called to order by Supervisor Acunto, there were present: Councilman Alan Grattidge Councilman Robert Lippiello Councilman Dorothy Mitchell Councilman Sandra Verola Supervisor Ferdinand Acunto Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola that the minutes of the April 12 Town Board Meeting, the April 14 Second Special Town Board Meeting and the April 26 Agenda Meeting be accepted as received: Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS: The total of the bills approved at the Agenda Meeting was $42,686.82. Vouchers for the month were #1410-1502. TOWN CLERK’S REPORT: Gail Hanchar read the Town Clerk’s Report. She reported taking in $259.71. Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Mitchell. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Agenda Items): No comments. SUPERVISOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS: Supervisor Acunto stated that he attended the Historical Society’s celebration of 200th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Church. Laura Linder gave and excellent report on the history of the church. April revenue and expenditures: General Fund – Expenditures of $33,669.58. Revenue of $7,302.92. Highway Fund – Expenditures of $58,729.78. Revenue of $102,418.33. Water District #1 – Expenditures of $8,764.14. Revenue of $924.01. Water District #2 – Expenditures of $258.83. Revenue of $5.92. Major expenditures: General Fund – Legislative Contractual (Newsletter) of $1,538.00, Assessment Contractual (Consultant) of $1,524.57, Building Operation & Plant of $3,312.60, Safety Inspections of $1,390.00 and Planning Contractual (Consultant Fee) of $5,180.45. Highway Fund – Road Construction of $12,688.62 and Machinery Contractual of $2,316.47. Water District – Transmission and Distribution of $4,168.17
and Transmission and Distribution Contractual of $3,133.00.
Major revenue: General Fund – Interest and Penalties on Property Taxes of $1,498.91, Interest and Earnings of $1,861.60 and Youth Programs of $1,500.00. Highway Fund – Sales Tax Distribution of $101,530.00. There is a workshop for the Employee Manual on May 19 at 7:30 P.M. The Flag Day Parade will be held in Burnt Hills on June 10 at 7:00 P.M. The Historical Society Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Memorial Day at 2:00 P.M. We will be collecting items for the “Adopt A Soldier” Project. We received notice from the County Clerk that the Department of Motor Vehicles in Saratoga County is extending hours. The Saratoga Springs Office will be open on Tuesdays until 6:00 P.M. The Ballston Spa Office will be open on Wednesdays until 6:00 P.M. The Clifton Park Office will be open on Thursdays until 6:00 P.M. We have a new web master. We are now able to find out how often our web page gets used. From March 25 – April 23 there were 3,050 hits on the web page. There were 101 hits a day. The average length of a visit was 6 ˝ minutes. COMMUNICATIONS: Town Board members and the Highway Superintendent received a copy of a letter from a Division Street resident regarding the condition of the road above Route 67. We received a letter from the Charlton Heritage Run requesting the constable’s presence at the race and walk on the Saturday of Founder’s Day Weekend. Councilman Lippiello asked if Packer Road could be swept just before the race. Ron said they are sweeping the roads right now. We received a letter from a Division Street resident regarding a barking dog complaint We received a letter from a Crooked Street resident with some concerns about the NIMO project and how it affected his assessment. He also had some water district concerns. The information was given to Councilman Lippiello. The Assessors also have a copy of the letter. They are looking at the affect of the pipeline on the assessment. Marv Schorr stated that a resident on Crooked Street had a complaint about standing water when NIMO got done. Marv phoned NIMO and was told standing water was to be expected when they first finished the job but if it was a lasting thing they would come in and fix it if necessary. We received a letter from a resident on Redwood and Beechwood regarding a stream abutting his property. Supervisor Acunto said that we met with counsel on this issue. We have no authority to go onto that property to rectify anything that might be a problem. It is on private property. Counsel has advised us that the resident can go to DEC for remediation. Councilman Grattidge said that the stream goes through the Komar Estates development. Where it goes behind the homes on Beechwood, the town has a 10’ right of way to maintain the channel to make sure the water flows. After it goes under Redwood and along private property, it then becomes private property. We are conscious about what’s happening through the section where we have our right of way and are encouraging people not to put any leaves or debris in that area that might carry down stream. Councilman Verola stated that Wally is concerned that he not be the keeper of the stream. He does not feel it is his responsibility to tell people what they are doing wrong. He feels it is our responsibility. Marv Schorr mentioned that it is a Class C trout stream under DEC’s standards so the town does not have jurisdiction. The last time someone tried to clear the stream by the culvert under Stage Road, they were fined. Councilman Grattidge said that there are a number of houses that border that stream on Beechwood and their activity does not allow the water to flow through. Councilman Verola said that the main problem is undergrowth which causes a major blockage. We received a letter regarding a potential zoning violation on Meadowbrook Lane. It was referred to Dave LaFountain. He is working on it. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: Lee stated that it has been a busy month. He has been on Division Street on a number of occasions regarding barking dogs. He also had another complaint on barking dogs. ASSESSORS: The Assessors Office has been very busy seeing residents with complaints or questions about their assessment. Grievance Day is May 25 from Noon until 4:00 P.M. and from 6:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Supervisor Acunto asked that if there were more people than time for appointments with the Assessors, what will happen? Vicky stated that since they all have full time jobs elsewhere, they will probably get to the point where they will have to refer people to Grievance Day. They are hoping they will be able to see everyone who wants to meet with them. A resident stated that there is only one book and pages have been removed. Vicky stated that the county only gives us one book. Councilman Verola suggested that we make copies of it. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: On May 3 we had two successful focus group meetings. One was for farmers and the other for town business owners and managers After the focus group meetings, we held a meeting of the entire committee to review slides that had been used in other town’s for Community Image Surveys and to hear how other towns have used survey results. After some discussion, the committee voted to conduct a Community Image Survey as part of our comprehensive planning effort. Money has already been allocated for an Image Survey in the Comprehensive Planning Budget. With the decision to conduct the Community Image Survey, the Steering Committee has elected to use every tool available to obtain the views of our townspeople. The Image Survey will take place on July 5 at 7:00 P.M. in the Charlton Freehold Church. All townspeople are invited to participate. It will take less than one hour to complete. Our Town Board is encouraged to participate too. On June 7 at 7:00 P.M. we are holding a focus group meeting in the Town Hall for seniors and in the School House for teenagers. We are still looking for volunteers to participate in them. Seniors willing to help need to contact Midge Dube or Peggy Gains. Teenagers should contact Andrea Herrin or Jenna Smith. We will soon be posting the results of the March 6 Visioning Workshop and Demographic Study on the website. The town-wide written survey was mailed out a couple of weeks ago. It was mailed to about 1,560 households. We already have over 500 written surveys returned, which is already an outstanding response. The close out for returns is May 22. It is obvious that Charlton citizens care about the future of their town. Councilman Grattidge asked what the Community Image Survey was. Steve replied that it is a series of slides where you see everything from urban sprawl and commercial buildings to rural settings. The Town can rate the visual image of what they like and dislike. Each person has a sheet with a –5 to a +10. There are approximately120 slides. You rate each one. CONSTABLES: For the month of April there were 32 patrols, 9 911 calls, covered 2,484 miles and issued 39 tickets. They are starting target practice. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION: They held another successful Tree Give Away. There were a few trees left which they gave to the Highway Superintendent to plant where he sees fit. The Road Side Clean Up also went very well. There were fewer participants this year. One of the ongoing problems is that people are not contacting Marv about getting an assigned area. As a result, we have had some overlap and duplication. Donuts and cider were provided by Smith’s Farm Bakery. Coffee was provided by The General Store. EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE: They have been meeting regularly. They meet the third Wednesday of each month. Councilman Verola said that she had an application for training which would be held at the Prime Hotel in Saratoga. It is $75.00. Dean DeCapria would like to attend. He will look into the method of payment. HIGHWAY: They are finished with bulk pick up. The Road Side Clean Up went fine. They have been cutting brush. Brush pick up will extend into this week. They have started sweeping the roads. They have been ditching Newman Road. They are getting ready for roadwork. Councilman Grattidge asked for an update on the Featherbed Lane Project. Ron said he would have and update when they get into it. Right now they are pretty booked up. They will fix it. It’s stable. There is no problem as far as the road being safe. He will box out 1,600’ of the road, tear it out and put fabric down, roll it in (changed tape) HISTORIAN: In April Laura attended a meeting of the Association of Public Historians of New York State at Silver Bay. Laura attended five different training workshops to help toward certification. On May 5 Laura did a program for the Historical Society in recognition of the 200th Anniversary of St. Paul’s Church Building which is now the Charlton Museum. One highlight this month was students calling her to help with history projects. She had five different students call. Another highlight was that on Saturday, May 8 39 folks showed up to help put flags on the Veteran’ graves. Judy Curtiss put together a wonderful map of Sweetman Cemetery to show where the graves were. Laura stated that the first year they did this project they put out 6 dozen flags. This year they placed 26 dozen flags on the graves. Dan Stedman and his family will be doing Pine Grove Cemetery. Dot Mitchell and her nieces will be doing sites in the West Charlton area. Before Founder’s Day Laura will give her annual slide show to the 4th grade students at Charlton Heights School. Charlton Heights students will be here to carry our flags in the Founder’s Day parade. There will be an article in the Newsletter about the flag project and also a piece about Rick Reynolds and our gratitude to him. He will be the Grand Marshall at the Founder’s Day Parade. He has accepted the position of Historian for the Town of
Ballston. The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission meets this Friday morning in Fulton County. Laura thanked Penny Smith and Marv Schorr for setting up the information table on Road Side Clean Up Day. There is a conference on New York State History at Skidmore College on June 10-12. There is an exhibit at Brookside Museum on Taking the Water. This exhibit explains the springs of Saratoga including their history and chemical composition. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION: They have had two requests for Opinion of Application for Approval within the district. They will be acting on those. LIBRARY: The long range planning is continuing. Their next meeting is May 19. PARK COMMITTEE: They are getting the park ready for Party in the Park on June 5. We have lost 1 tree. We are getting the parts for setting up the volleyball court. There are two groups using the facilities. On June 13 it will be the West Charlton Church. There is a mixed softball league there on Thursday nights. The port-a-john will be in the park from Founder’s Day until mid-September. PLANNING BOARD: They held an excellent workshop. They will be meeting next Monday night. RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD: For the month of April they issued 6 permits, accepted 1 ZBA application, issued 4 CO’s and collected $855.00. They are working on numerous complaints. Councilman Verola said she will be pursuing the purchase of a fax machine for the Zoning Administrator. ZONING ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE: They are still going through their list of potential revisions. The Zoning Administrator has some additional items to discuss. When we get through that, we will be in a position to do an overall assessment of where we stand. We won’t have very many recommendations for revisions to the Zoning Ordinance. We are going to wait for the final recommendation and presentation to the Board until the Comprehensive Plan Committee does its work because they are so closely related. RESOLUTIONS: A RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN, be approved: Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #73, A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RICHARD REYNOLDS, be approved: Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes COUNCILMAN REPORTS: Councilman Mitchell – Thanked Laura and the students for marking the veteran’s graves. We have been doing this for 13 years. Thanked Laura for her wonderful presentation at St. Paul’s Birthday Party and everyone who participated. Thanked those who are working to preserve the historical buildings in town. Councilman Lippiello – Thanked the Highway Department for
bulk pick up and the ECC for the Road Side Clean Up. Thanked the Garden Club for planting and caring for the flowers
in town. Councilman Verola – Thanked ECC, Highway Department and Laura for all their hard work. Councilman Grattidge – The roof was completed on the salt shed last month. They are working on finishing the siding. Thanked County Waste for their help with Bulk Pick Up. They provided dumpsters so we didn’t have to transport every load, did the trucking for free and gave us a reduced rate on what they charged us to dispose of the junk. They paid us per ton for the metal that was brought to their yard. They look at it as a thank you to their customers. They want to be a service to their community. Party in the Park will be June 5 beginning at 3:30 P.M. or 4:00 P.M. Music will start around 3:30 P.M. The talent show will be from 5:00 P.M. until 6:30 P.M. Other entertainment will be from 6:30 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Sweet Cider will play until the fireworks. Dream Ponies will be there and a demonstration by Mohawk Valley Sky Diving. The 5K race will be held Saturday Morning. The parade will be 2:00 P.M. on Sunday followed by a ceremony honoring Rick Reynolds. Our next Agenda Meeting will be Tuesday, June 1 at 7:30 P.M. at the Town Hall. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR: Dave Pohl , Crawford Drive – Are we going to be assessed every year now? Supervisor Acunto – We have decided to do an annual reval. Dave Pohl – Even if they go down? Supervisor Acunto – Yes, let’s hope. Dave Pohl – How will this, in the long run, effect the elderly people and farms if they keep jumping up the way they did? Are they going to sell? Are we going to loose our farms? Supervisor Acunto – You have to realize that their responsibility is to keep assessments equal to market value and the way the prices of homes in Saratoga County have been going at this point….. Dave Pohl – So if everything goes up, we are going to have more money from taxes. Supervisor Acunto – Not necessarily. Dave Pohl – I have a question about being assessed every year. What does this do in the long run to our elderly people and our farms? Vicky Hayner – The reason for doing an annual update is to keep our distribution of taxes fair and equal. Right now properties are appreciating all through Saratoga County. It isn’t just Charlton that is being hit with values going up. I work at the County. We talk to other towns. They are all seeing the same thing. I understand and I hear what you are saying about the elderly people on fixed incomes. I don’t like what I have to do. I don’t like my own value going up but if we were to keep the values the same, they would be paying the same amount of taxes because our equalization rate would change. The purpose of keeping an annual update is to keep the distribution as it should be. It shouldn’t affect the taxes all that much. It should keep the taxes fairly….. Dave Pohl – What is the difference between an appraisal and an assessment? Vicky Hayner – There are similarities between appraisals and assessments. What we are doing as assessors is determining what your full market value is of your property. Many times when you get an appraisal done of our property, that is what you are looking for as well. When we do an assessment, we look at it as the whole town and try and look at it that way. When you have an appraisal done, an appraisal is looking at your property and they will pull their comparables from where they need to get your value to what you’re looking for. There is a little bit of a difference there. Dave Pohl – An appraisal is higher than an assessment? Vicky Hayner – Not always. Glen Hornberger, Crawford Drive – I read the article where Marge put in several comments about fairness, as well as the other assessors in Saratoga County. I don’t quite understand how there can be four houses on my street that are assessed $50,000.00 less than me and they are the exact same house. We both expanded in the same way and I don’t believe its fairness at all. It has been 32 years today that my wife and I and five kids moved into Crawford Drive. For 30 years we think the town treated us very favorably. The last two years the assessing has been crazy. There is no fairness. There is no equity. I don’t know what the hell they used for guidelines. It’s strange. Just look at Crawford Drive. Marge Dennis said in the paper it’s the hot properties, the new houses with 2 acres or more. Is that correct? Resident – That is what she is quoted as saying. Glen Hornberger – I’m the oldest house on the street. I have a 31% increase scheduled, whereas another house on the street that had more remodeling than I had done is assessed at $50,000.00 less than me and he is going up 9%. Is that fair? Vicky Hayner – My answer to you would be, do you have an appointment to come in and meet with us? Glen Hornberger – Absolutely I have an appointment. I want to tell you that if that doesn’t work out, this is my 28th move in my life when I came here. I have started two taxpayer suits for welcome stranger rules in other towns. We can start it again. There is so much precedent you don’t have to even go to court anymore. It is unfortunate but from what I see in the tax roll the inequity is unbelievable. It is a lousy job. Councilman Grattidge – You are well aware of Grievance Day? Glen Hornberger – Absolutely. Bernie Braun, Crawford Drive – I took the Town of Charlton to small claims court and won and then they turned around and came after me and my assessment has gone up 40% now----- 43% in the last 3 years. I have a split-level ranch. There are split-levels everywhere. There are split-levels that have increased 5%, 6%, 7%. I understand the market is appreciating. I don’t mind paying my fair market share but this is totally outrageous. When I went to Grievance Day last year they told me, “You can’t compare your split level ranch on 5 Crawford Drive with houses on Vines because that’s a different neighborhood”. This is the kind of bull I had to listen to when I went to your Grievance Day. So this year I am going to come to Grievance Day and go through the same process again but I shouldn’t have to do that. Tonight I am sitting here and I had to miss two of my kid’s games. It is totally unfair. Right now I have a split-level ranch and I am assessed more than split level ranches that have additions on the back and two car garages attached. I have 3 children. I like living here. I wanted to put an addition on my house. I was told I couldn’t because of our zoning laws so I can’t even upgrade my house but I am already assessed higher than the houses that were able to do that and have more room for their families. You go through the assessment rolls. You see what people paid last year and what they are paying this year. It is simple to do the calculation on what the increase is. The disparity in the increases is totally outrageous. The company that was hired last year, they had things closer but what they did wasn’t fair either. They did the best they could. I know it is a very tough business. I am here tonight because I want the Town Board to be aware of the disparity and that a lot of people in town are upset. I don’t know how many people will go through the whole process but we need to iron out the system so it is more fair. I personally think that Marge Dennis has her hand in a lot of this and that she lets her, whatever the word is, interfere with professional judgment otherwise there wouldn’t be such disparity. We have three different assessors so hopefully this year it will all be worked out. I understand the reason for keeping up with everything every year but let’s work this all out and have you guys be involved in all that’s going on so it becomes a smoother process so we don’t have to get so upset every year. Supervisor Acunto – You understand that the Assessors are elected officials and their responsibility lies with the assessment. The Town Board has basically, we don’t get involved in the assessment process. Glen Hornberger – I think we want to make you aware…………….. Supervisor Acunto – We are well aware. Glen Hornberger – I think the comment that they have made tonight about the huge number of people that are asking for appointments is indicative that they feel it is unfair. I don’t think in the past 30 years that I have lived here, until last year, we had that problem. Not at all. It is just this last group of assessors that, in my opinion, are doing a horrible job. The citizens are reacting and that is why they are making so many appointments. It is unfair what they did. I’ll pay my fair share any time. Last year I told them they could bring the gentleman up that last year had a 3% increase, this year it is a 9%, and bring it up to mine and I will pay mine or lower mine or his, one or the other. I don’t care but be fair and they can’t do it. Torben Aabo, Sweetman Road – Like everyone else in town, my assessment was increased. Mine was increased 20%. I am wondering where they get the 20% from. I have a rather old house on a couple of acres of land but a 20% increase in 1 year, that seems unreasonable. My taxes, in accordance with the assessment, would only go up 8%. The assessors need to explain that because I don’t think that Saratoga County as a whole has gone up 20%. Vicky Hayner – My only response to that would be that you need to come and talk to an assessor. Have you already had your appointment with an assessor? Torben Aabo – No and I’m not sure I will go and talk to you because I was an assessor at one point and I know what you are going to tell me. With all the people that you have heard here, we aren’t going to get satisfaction just (could not understand). You simply have not the time for doing that. That is my opinion. How much have the assessor’s office spent on consultants up to now, this year? Supervisor Acunto – This year $1,500.00. Torben Aabo – That is why they are going up so much because that buys you a pencil. Stacy Clark, Crawford Drive – I don’t think that the residents or people I have spoken to or heard from, no one wants their assessment to go up but I don’t think anybody is arguing that the value has gone up a certain percentage, as Vicky has said. The property values have increased. However, I want to be on the record that what I am looking for is, if I live on a desirable street, I guess that is up to the assessors to decide that, that that’s so, however, if that is the case and you say Crawford Drive must be a really super place to live, then you need to increase the property value, say 10%, 3%, whatever, across the board. I think that most people are getting upset because they are so out of key. A house 3 houses away from me did go up 3.6%. Bernie down on the corner went up over 40% . There is just no equality in it. I am not an assessor. I don’t know formulas or whatever, is there a formula you follow that tells you………..My understanding was, and I could be wrong, when you assess a property it is assessed based on how many bedrooms, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc. I think Dave’s comment about appraisals vs. assessment, you didn’t clarity it enough for me. My understanding is that an appraisal is something a bank does that says you live in a pretty house that is painted with pretty landscaping but as an assessment you can’t assess my landscaping and that type of thing. Is there a formula that you follow for assessment? I want to educate myself and be informed so that when I come to our meeting I am ready with the right questions. Vicky Hayner – There are several approaches that I used when we did that. When we do appraisals we use computer generated programs to help us do that. There are some where you take every piece of the pie and put it together. That is called a cost approach. There is also a sales comparison approach which pulls up properties that are similar to yours and puts it together and says these are similar properties so this is the value. Stacy Clark – (Could not understand) Vicky Hayner – Not necessarily on your street but similar in square footage, amount of land…………. Stacy Clark – But that is where our beef comes from because when we measure all those as neighbors and we all have square footage within 50 feet and the same number of bathrooms and fireplaces, and whatever (could not understand) Vicky Hayner – You’re asking me to answer questions and I don’t have all the information in front of me. It is much better to sit down and I understand your feelings and all that. It is difficult. There are three different personalities that are doing this job and we are trying…………….. Stacy Clark – Personality should come into the issue here when you are assessing my house. Vicky Hayner – But when you talk to different people you get a different………… Stacy Clark – Then what you are telling me is there is no formula involved. It’s however you feel. Vicky Hayner – No. (Changed tape). There is a formula within the program. I can’t tell you all the specifics of that. Stacy Clark – Will you tell me when I come? Vicky Hayner – I will show it to you. Yes. We meet with people individually and then we have to gather together and decide what these are. Some of the questions you are asking me tonight, I can’t answer as a single. I am only 1/3 of the piece of the whole (could not understand). Stacy Clark – Do you understand where my confusion comes when I say, “Is there a formula” and you’re telling me there is something I put in the computer. That should have nothing to do with personalities. Vicky Hayner – I should not have said personalities. It’s not personality. It is three different people. We are all using the same programs. We are all looking at it differently. The way that I communicate to you is going to be different from the way that Marge communicates to you and the way that Mary communicates to you. Stacy Clark – Will you all three be there during our appointments? Vicky Hayner – When you talk to us you are only talking to one of us but we are all using the same program to come up with these values. That is where we are all coming from. Stacy Clark – Then we’ll get three different answers. Vicky Hayner – Not three different answers but………… Councilman Lippiello – Presentation. Glen Hornberger – Did one person do Crawford Drive, do you know or did all three have input on Crawford Drive? Vicky Hayner – I will tell you that Marge Dennis did primarily the valuing of the whole town, not just Crawford Drive but the whole town. There is a lot to do in an assessor’s job. There are several portions to it. Her piece of the puzzle was primarily the valuing in consultation with the other two of us. Stacy Clark – And that is based on some kind of formula. Steve Cain – Is there a written description of how the assessment process works or how you go about your job or how the assessors calculate? Is there something that the layman can read that makes sense? Vicky Hayner – I’ll have to look in there. There may be a brochure that New York State has put out. Bernie Braun – We do our revaluation every year. If we do them fairly and values are increasing a certain rate, if everything was fair and across the board, my bill shouldn’t go up unless they raise taxes. Vicky Hayner – Correct. Bernie Braun – But yet my bill has gone up $500.00 from last year to this year. It was $280.00 last year and $270.00 this year, based on the value that you gave me. I get popped every year with a higher bill. Peter Olsen, Charlton Road – Isn’t this assuming there is no change in the equalization rate which probably is going to change due to revaluation? Councilman Grattidge – There was no change in the tax levy. The way I read the statement was, they were comparing the tax levy to last year’s tax levy. Peter Olsen – Right (could not understand) the equalization rate changes then the taxes could equal out. Vicky Hayner – The equalization rate is assumed at 100% for both scenarios. Peter Olsen – But that’s not necessarily going to happen. Councilman Grattidge – No. When the levy goes up, it will be the school taxes that will change how much revenue they are looking to collect. Lee Bramer, West Line Road – I live in the western part of the township, a rural area with farmland. Just to let the folks know who live in the residential area that you guys aren’t alone. We got hit hard out there. We had to subdivide three years ago so we could build a new house. The old house (could not understand) land stayed with the new house. We completed it last year. We were fully assessed last year. On that new house, I would have to think they had it sort of right last year and we went up over 33%. On the old house, 2.75 acres we left with it and it went up over 50%. Something that I heard earlier, what is this going to do to our elderly and farmlands and farmland like myself. My elderly in-laws who are 85 years old and on a fixed income went up 50%. The taxes did not go up at that some rate but they did go up substantially. My concern is what is this going to do to our town. It is going to make it hard on the farmer. It is going to almost encourage the farmer not to keep farming and encourage him to sell the land for building properties which is something, I believe, and we might find out through the Comprehensive Planning, is something we would not like to see. We like to see our rural farmland. The more that building goes on, the more our houses are going to be assessed, it would seem to me. It is going to keep escalating. I don’t know what the answer is. Maybe we can find some things out at Comprehensive Planning. Maybe they can help us out with this and we can get some ideas. I do feel for the assessors. They will be hearing everybody. As more people come into Saratoga County, it is not making it easier for us either. We are on the farthest edge of the county and hope that we are going to stay away from what is happening but it is coming our way and its not good for us. Torben Aabo thanked Ron for taking all his junk. He said everything that he put out there was on the list and Ron took it. There still is stuff in the right of way. What are we going to do about it? Supervisor Acunto said the Zoning Administrator will be going around to see that it is cleaned up. If someone knows of a problem they should call Dave or Ginny. Dave Pohl asked what the gas line is that is in Charlton. Supervisor Acunto said it was all transmission. The Town gets no benefit from that transmission line. The purpose of the line is to increase pressure north of here. Laura asked if the resolution that was passed concerning the Town Hall building, was that saying we don’t have an architect or are we going to have an architect? That isn’t the architect your are approving, it is someone to work on the drawings we have until you have an architect? Councilman Grattidge stated that to call yourself an architect you have to be certified by the State so he is what would be called a drafting………….. We are working on conceptual plans to get it to where we feel like then we can make the choice of: Do we want to get architectural prints to go the conventional route with four general contractors or do we want to look at a construction manager and have them provide the prints when we go that route. What we are trying to do is preserve our flexibility on how we want to go about constructing the town hall. We are working with somebody that has architectural experience but he is not a full-fledged architect. Laura asked if he was keeping abreast of all the current changes, regulations, rules, and etc. Councilman Grattidge said “yes”and it would be certified by a design engineer to come up with full prints. Laura said she doesn’t want us to be taking short cuts. Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola to adjourn to an executive session, be approved: Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes After everyone had the opportunity to speak who wished, the meeting was adjourned at 9:10 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Gail Hanchar Town Clerk
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