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DRAFT Regular Meeting May 9, 2005 Charlton Town Board Saratoga County New York
After the pledge to the flag the invocation was given by Town Clerk Gail Hanchar.
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 11 Town Board Meeting and the April 25 Agenda Meeting be accepted as received:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Councilman Lippiello Councilman Mitchell Councilman Verola Supervisor Acunto
ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS:
The following corrections were made to the abstract:
Voucher #1364 to The Daily Gazette had an account code change. Voucher #1371 to Suburban Energy Services was deleted for double payment. Voucher #1387 to Alpha Geo Science had an account code change. Voucher #1397 to Rain or Shine Tent Co. was deleted and will be placed on June abstract. Voucher #1402 to Empire State Fireworks was deleted and will be placed on June abstract.
The total of the May Abstract was $37,784.36
Vouchers for the month were #1363 - #1441.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
Gail Hanchar read the Town Clerk’s Report. She reported taking in $145.23. Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Agenda Items):
Don Schermerhorn from the Audit Committee gave a presentation on the status of the audit. He said that after discussions it was determined that: (1) the Town Board should release the Independent Auditor from the preparation of the GASB 34 portion of the audit, (2) that asset depreciation schedules be prepared and guidelines/policies be established, (3) that the Town Board dissolve the appointed Auditor Search Committee and (4) that at the recommendation of Donna Farrar Lead Auditor, the Town Board give serious consideration to establishing a permanent Audit and Finance Committee to assist the Town Board.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
April expenditures and revenue: General Fund – Revenue of $12,695.13. Expenditures of $49,882.97. Highway Fund – Revenue of $870.76. Expenditures of $42,038.28. Water District #1 – Revenue of $1,473.84. Expenditures of $5,112.90. Water District #2 – Revenue of $6.39
Major revenue: General Fund – Major portion was from Interest and Penalties and Interest and Earnings. Highway Fund – Interest and Earnings of $870.76.
Major expenditures: General Fund – Engineering Contractual of $712.50, Buildings Operation and Plant Contractual of $22,615.72 and Police Contractual of $1,171.09. Highway Fund – Maintenance of Roads Contractual of $3,649.64, Machinery Contractual of $2,315.70, Hospital and Medical Insurance of $6,171.17. Water District #1 – Transmission and Distribution of $4,291.89. Water District #2 - $261.99.
There were 818 hits on the web site for the month of April.
The E-Government Seminar in Saratoga is on Friday.
The Veteran’s Float will be in the Founder’s Day Parade. If any veterans would like to ride on the float, contact Supervisor Acunto.
The Flag Day Parade in Burnt Hills will be on June 9 at 6:30 P.M. Anyone is welcome to walk with the Town Board.
Mosquito “dunks” are available at the Town Hall at no charge.
Niagara Mohawk is still compiling data on the sub-station on Route 67. They will get back to us.
On Wednesday, May 11 there will be a demonstration for Supervisors of the County GIS. The next step will be a training session for a person from each municipality. Janet Reville is interested in attending for Charlton but needs to know how long the training will be.
The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 2:00 P.M. in Gideon Hawley Park.
The Town Hall will be closed May 28-30.
Wayne Hedrick is donating time, labor and materials for new window boxes at the Town Hall.
CORRESPONDENCE:
We received a thank you note from the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Schools thanking us for allowing them to use the building for their presentation on the budget.
We received a letter from Harlan and McGee. They were architects for a resident who applied for a building permit. They have notified the Town that they are withdrawing their approval for the building plans. The structure has not been constructed in accordance with their approved design. They feel there are unsafe structural conditions. Rich Moon, Town Building Inspector, has written to the owner of the property informing him of a Stop Work Order until violations are corrected. Dave LaFountain will contact the Town Attorney regarding the matter.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER:
The Dog Enumeration is on going.
ASSESSMENT REVIEW BOARD:
They had a training session last week. Grievance Day is May 24 from 2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
ASSESSORS:
They are getting things ready for the Board of Assessment Review. They have a meeting planned with them on May 17.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
- As mentioned at the last meeting, our consultant has provided us a list of recommended strategies to help us meet our goals. For the last couple of months, we have been working in subcommittees to identify questions or concerns about them. - The entire CPSC started meeting again as an entire group on May 2 to start the process of listening and learning as Nan answers the questions the subcommittees have asked, and to provide her rational for those strategies the subcommittees may potentially modify or reject. - On May 2, we got to the end of Goal 2, with 12 more goals to go. - We would like to get through this phase of our work by the end of June, if at all possible. - We have added an extra meeting this month on May 31 at 7:00 P.M. in the One Room School House. We will be meeting on June 6 here at the town hall and will decide then if we are going to try to meet again in June. - Once we finish this educational phase we will go back into our subcommittees to make our subcommittee’s final recommendations on what strategies to accept, modify or reject. - We will then meet again as an entire group, and taking the work of the individual subcommittees into account and our discussions together, decide on the entire package of strategies. - I want to emphasis at this time that the only thing the CPSC has agreed on is the Vision Statement and the 14 Goals. - Let me give you a sense of the challenge we face, but one I believe we can meet. - I do not have to tell you how much our townspeople love Charlton, and its uniqueness. As you know, we have a rather dense residential area to the south, an historic and period hamlet, and beautiful farms and open space to the east, west and north. Each area of Charlton is unique with differing characteristics. - In our workshops, surveys and focus groups it became very clear our townspeople want to preserve Charlton’s unique character and they fear growth that would change the nature of our town. - A major challenge for us is to find the best way to meet these clearly defined community-wide goals of preserving our rural character, farms, open spaces, our environmentally sensitive areas and period structures, while also striking the right balance for respecting the rights of landowners, especially large land owners who have the most of their personal capital at stake. - I think it is safe to say there is no one silver bullet nor one or two measures you can take to achieve this kind of balance. - Our consultant has provided us numerous recommended strategies all aimed at giving us what the majority of our townspeople say they want. - What our consultant is giving us is a list of options, many voluntary. All are meant to take into account health, safety and the general welfare. To a large extent, her recommended approach is based on the town having an array of viable, alternative options for working towards meeting the community-wide goals. They could be used by the town and the landowner or developer in a cooperative way to look at each specific situation to find options and a course of action that comes closest to meeting the community’s goals, while preserving landowner’s rights. - If we were to step back and try to describe the nature of overall the package of strategies our consultant suggested, I think it would be fair to characterize them as a flexible and layered approach for striking a balance between meeting the clearly defined community goals and the understandable concerns and interests of important segment(s) of our community. - Hopefully, at the next meeting I can describe these to you a little more fully, after the committee discusses them. - As I said at the beginning, the committee hasn’t yet made any decisions on these matters. - We will soon be doing so, and then providing information about all this material to our townspeople before coming to you for the final phases of this process.
CONSTABLES:
For the month of April they had 32 patrols, answered 6 911 calls, traveled 2,715 miles, issued 27 tickets and investigated 1 accident.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION COMMISSION:
They had a very successful Road-Side Clean Up Day on April 30 followed by the Annual Tree Give Away which was also very successful. All the trees were gone in 20 minutes. Marv thanked the Town Board for their continued support, thanked everyone who participated and thanked the Highway Department for picking up all the bags that were left along the road. The Charlton General Store supplied coffee. Refreshments were purchased from Smith’s Farm Bakery.
E-GOVERNMENT ADVISORY BOARD:
Several members will be going to the E-Government Conference on Friday. Their next meeting is Monday, May 16.
EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE:
They will be meeting next month.
HIGHWAY:
They are still picking up items from bulk pick up.
HISTORIAN:
Laura prepared a draft of a resolution for the Stauffers which the Town Board has. She brought three notebooks. One contained pictures of the Memorial Day Service for the past 30+ years. One had pictures and a record of the students who placed flags on the veteran’s graves. This activity started in 1992. She also had a notebook containing information about the town’s cemeteries. Saturday students from the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake Middle School worked with Laura placing flags on the veteran’s graves that are in our town cemeteries. We now have families that help year after year with their grown children who participated when the program first began. The program was begun by Rick Reynolds, a teacher at the middle school. Last year he was honored as the Social Studies Teacher of the Year for the country by the DAR. He is now the Historian for the Town of Ballston. On April 22-23, Laura attended the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Council Conference in Albany learning about issues to deal with records keeping. On May 1-3, the Association of Public Historian of NYS held their annual training in Amsterdam. Over 150 historians attended. The featured speaker was Russell Shorto, author of “Island in the Center of the World” which is about the founding of Manhattan. On May 5 Laura attended an Electronic Documents Imaging Course presented by the NYS Archives. Brookside Museum is about the open an exhibit called “Jumping Through Hoops, Fashion and Industry in Saratoga County”. They are trying to find out what kind of fashion industries were in the Saratoga County area in the 1860’s, 1870’s and 1880’s. At that time there were over 5,000 sheep in Charlton. Many yard goods were being made in Charlton. (Changed tape) Our Historical Society is having a meeting Wednesday night at the Nadoraski’s home. We will be learning about the history and every day life of our town’s dairy farmers. Our dairy farmers will be the grand marshals of our Founder’s Day Parade. Students from the Middle School will be carrying the town banner and town flag. This month Laura will be giving her annual presentation to the Charlton Heights 4th graders.
LIBRARY:
They had a meeting the end of April. There will be a mortgage burning on June 4th. Councilman Lippiello will try and be there.
PARK COMMITTEE:
Party in the Park will be the first weekend in June. The Committee has been getting quotes for a backstop, replacing the pavilion and repairing the warming shelter. They are also looking at replacing the existing gazebo in Gideon Hawley Park. Councilman Lippiello said that we have 2 quotes so far on replacing the pavilion with a pole barn type structure with a metal roof. We need to get a 3rd quote. They had a walk through on Mill Pond Park. There are a couple of things that need to be corrected. We need to be careful of parking at Mill Pond. A resident owns the land where people were pulling in. A berm has been made there. Parking will be parallel to Crane Street. The access is the old roadbed. Councilman Lippiello asked Ron to look at the plank walkway in the park. The top planking is weak in a couple of spots. Laura said there was a gristmill at Mill Pond.
PLANNING BOARD:
They are meeting next Monday at 7:00 P.M. They are looking for a recording secretary.
RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD:
They met a couple of weeks ago. Our new Regional Advisory Officer David Lowry attended the meeting. We discussed what type of filing system we might use with the records once we are in the new building and applying for grants. Last week Gail and Laura attended and Electronic Imaging Workshop conducted by NYS Archives.
TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY BOARD:
They had a productive meeting with the Town Clerk. John has been working with Gail.
TOWN HALL:
The consultant that we hired to do the archeological study of the property found significant findings. We have a preliminary report and are waiting for the Phase I Study. Unfortunately, that delays the project. We are waiting for information regarding a Phase II Study and how it might effect the site plan and the whole building. At our last meeting we withdrew our resolution accessing the building fund. Councilman Grattidge and Councilman Verola made a presentation regarding the building to the Charlton Senior’s group. Supervisor Acunto received a correspondence from Rick Reynolds wanting to know if some of his students could watch the dig. Councilman Verola received an email from a resident asking the same thing. Supervisor Acunto is concerned about risk management. Laura stated that it is required at the end of these excavations that they do a public tour. The Board will look into it further.
VETERAN’S RECOGNITION BOARD:
The plaques with the new names have been ordered. They have not been put up yet.
WATER:
We will have a resolution for a watershed. We have 2 bids on the test borings.
ZBA:
They had a hearing last month.
ZONING:
For the month of April they issued 16 permits, 2 CO’s and collected $1,915.00. The tanks have been removed from the Getty Station on Stage Road. There is someone who is interested in purchasing the property. They were in Tuesday night to see what the zoning was. They would like to put in some type of food establishment there. Dave said he explained to them the status of the zoning there and referred them to the ZBA.
ZONING ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE:
They are on hold until the Comprehensive Planning Committee completes its work.
RESOLUTIONS:
Motion made by Councilman Mitchell, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that Resolution #84, A RESOLUTION APPOINTING MEMBERS TO THE RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that Resolution #85, A RESOLUTION RELEASING THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FROM PREPARING THE GASB 34 PORTION OF THE 2004 AUDIT, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #86, A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING POLICY AND GUIDELINES TO DEVELOP ASSEST DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULES, 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 Mitchell that Resolution #87, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHARLTON’S DAIRY FARMING COMMUNITY, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that Resolution #88, A RESOLUTION AMENDING RESOLUTION #115 OF THE YEAR 1995, A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH A REPAIR RESERVE FUND FOR THE TOWN OF CHARLTON WATER DISTRICT #1, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #89, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY BOARD’S SCOPE AND PROCEDURE, 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 Verola that Resolution #90, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE 2004 STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution #91, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF A STORAGE SHED FOR THE CHARLTON WATER DISTRICT, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #92, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE WATER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT TO PROCEED WITH DRILLING SERVICES, 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 Verola that Resolution #93, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT TO PURCHASE SIDING MATERIALS FOR THE SALT SHED, be approved:
Councilman Grattidge said that the original motion authorized the expenditure of $2,000.00. We need to raise the limit to $3,000.00.
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Mitchell that Resolution #94, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF FLOWERS FOR THE TOWN HALL AND OTHER SITES IN TOWN, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Yes Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
COUNCILMAN REPORTS:
Councilman Mitchell – Thanked Rick Reynolds, Laura Linder, students from the BHBL Middle School and all those involved in the 14th annual placement of flags on the veteran’s graves. Thanked those involved in the Road Side Clean Up. The newsletter is in the mail.
Councilman Lippiello – Thanked the Highway Department the Road Side Clean Up this year and to the ECC for the Road Side Clean Up and Tree Give Away. Encouraged people to walk through Mill Pond Park.
Councilman Verola – Thanked the Audit Search Committee for a job well done. Thanked the volunteers and the Highway Department for the Road Side Clean Up.
Councilman Grattidge – This year, in conjunction with County Waste, we were able to do the whole town in three days. It has normally tied up the Highway Department for over two weeks. The constables helped the first day with traffic control on the main roads. County Waste provided the labor for free and basically charged us for the cost of dumping the materials. They are providing free brush, leaf and grass clipping pick up every Thursday. The brush needs to be cut in 5’ lengths and tied in bundles. Leaves and grass clippings need to be in biodegradable bags or in a separate trash can. Party in the Park is Saturday, June 4. Their final meeting will be on May 18 at 7:30 P.M. On Sunday, June 5 the West Charlton Presbyterian Church has asked to use the tents and chairs for a Sunday morning service. They are hoping to do this on an annual basis. The public is welcome.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Fran Miner – Vines Road – Said he understood that at the Agenda Meeting, the Town Board did rescind the resolution passed last month regarding the town hall. He said he believes that to make it legal, it should be passed at a Town Board Meeting. Supervisor Acunto said that we did pass the resolution at the Agenda Meeting and we have passed resolutions at the Agenda Meeting in the past. Fran said he did not realize you could do things of that nature at an Agenda Meeting. Supervisor Acunto said the resolution has been rescinded. Fran asked if the petition with 281 names was taken into consideration. Supervisor Acunto said there was no action to be taken on it.
Bob Smialek – Dawson Road – Complained about the intersection of Dawson Road and Crane Street. He has lived in his home since 1972. He would like to have the town look at that intersection. He feels it is dangerous. It has a grass island. There have been several close calls there. Cars travel too fast. More homes are being built in that area and there are more and more children on the road. He feels it is an accident waiting to happen and the road should be straightened out by removing the branch going to the south. Ron said that he has received a recommendation from a New York State traffic engineer. The engineer has said the problems can be solved by putting up stop signs. He also suggested cutting the rise that goes back into Dawson Road so traffic can see the approach easier. Ron is waiting for a written report from the State. Ron said he believes there would be a sign on Crane Street and Dawson Road telling motorists they are approaching a stop sign. Ron has to abide by the State Manual for Signage and get approval from the State before he can put up signs. Supervisor Acunto said that he understood what Bob wanted done but felt that Ron might not be able to do that under State regulations.
Marv Schorr stated that “A History of the Burnt Hills Ballston Lake School District” has been written. They are $10.00 and are available in the Town Clerk’s Office. All proceeds go to the Burnt Hills Education Foundation.
Chris Nelson – Sacandaga Road – Asked if the Charlton police could patrol the Crane Street/ Dawson Road intersection.
Laura Linder – Mill Pond Park was the site of the first mill in Charlton. It was a gristmill. They ground buckwheat flour for the making of pancakes. The flour was of superior quality and was popular throughout the state. There is more information on the web site. The salutatorian for the Galway High School this year is a Charlton resident.
Lee Bramer – West Line Road – Said that County Waste’s help with the bulk item pick up was a great asset. Their flyer that they sent out a week ahead of time was a big help.
The next Agenda Meeting will be on Tuesday, May 31 at 7:30 P.M.
After everyone had the opportunity to speak who wish, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Hanchar Town Clerk |
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