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Town of Charlton Community Survey763 Total Surveys Returned; 294 Additional comments 17. Please feel free to add additional comments below.
I am strongly opposed to financing any developer’s efforts by providing town water and sewer to their new homes. If the water is not good, then the developers have two choices a) fix it with household water treatments or b) don’t build! If the land won’t perk, then the writing is on the wall, don’t build! This is a several million $ project with basically no upside tot hose of us who already live here! No one offered to pay the $3,000+ it took to make my well water drinkable only two years ago when we moved here! I am sure not willing to absorb somebody else’s water treatment costs! If the developers want to build houses in Charlton, then they should be ready to pay for every part of their investment and so should the new residents! It’s called responsibility! For the sake of discussion, lets say we allow a new development with 50 homes, and demographically we assume that there are two school age children per home. That is 400 folks in the area, 100 new cars, 100 new students – what is the impact on Charlton? a) Initially, let’s assume that the school buildings have enough space to absorb the 100 students. Depending upon the age distribution, we will need to add 2 or 3 more teachers; if the distribution is poor, this could be as high as 5 more teachers, we will need to add 2 or 3 more buses (and the corresponding drivers). b) If the buildings cannot handle the load, then you are talking about several millions of $ to add space over at least a year of over-crowded school conditions. c) Each student costs the tax payers roughly $8,000 annually. So with the example above, that is a new tax burden of $800,000. Each of the individual homes themselves will give you roughly $6,000 annually for school taxes, and a total of $300,000. This means that annually, the new development costs the Charlton residents $5,000! In conclusion, I see no way that current residents in Charlton benefit by a new housing development. It is an immediate and constant tax burden, and it allows a few developers to benefit at our expense. 68. One of the best features of where I live is the wildlife – especially birds. When the moon is full and the geese soar overhead, there is nowhere else I’d rather be. When a meteor flashes across – a brilliant star filling the night sky –I thank all the forces that brought me to my small piece of this heaven on earth. Please do not destroy all this in the name of so-called progress! 69. Large concern isn’t where is Charlton going but rather where is NYS going? Anti-business, anti-manufacturing and state reps love any program that spends money. NYS is stumbling badly & hence Charlton will have difficult days. 70. I am concerned about the number of people on committee whom own (proportionally) large plots of land representing their own private agendas. 71. Enforce burning regulations so everyone can enjoy their yards and patios. 72. If we would just pray more for God’s help – be with us on our daily duties. We might get much more done and with love. He loves us, he’s just waiting for us to love him back. 73. Change zoning to increase minimum lot size for single family dwellings to 5 acres and minimum road frontage of 250 feet. Stricter enforcement of speed limits. Keep commercial and retail development to Route 67 at the perimeter of the town line. Need to develop billboard legislation for town code. The old gas station property should be condemned and the owners forced to clean it up and demolish the building. Silly, personal bickering of the town board members, neighbors should treat each other with respect and deference. 74. I purposely moved here, spend considerable amounts of money to purchase and then restore a 200 year old home because I did not want to live in a town like Glenville or Clifton Park. I want you to do whatever it takes to keep Charlton a rural community that is proud of its historic sites and open spaces. 75. Speed limit in historic Charlton is 30 mph. Why – there’s nothing there. Speed limit in Galway is 35 mph with three times the activity. 76. Would not like to see multi home development in or around the town. 77. Have an interest in a Charlton post office 78. Raise taxes if we must but stay away from the neon, fast food, convenient mart boxes. If this type of business is ever allowed to build, make sure construction is according to Charlton historical guidelines! 79. The things we are most concerned about are pressuring the town’s rural character while not infringing on landowner’s rights. For a small town, Charlton has a well functioning government, however we have distaste for the rivalry between political factions in the town. Overall, Charlton is a wonderful place to live. 80. I feel that stores and gas stations are close by so that we don’t need it in Charlton. 81. I grew up in Charlton and moved away when I was 19. When it was time for my husband & I to look for a house I knew I wanted to try to get back into the area. I enjoyed growing up here and am glad that my children will experience the same. I think that says a lot about the town. 82. If Charlton wants to maintain open space, we should try to support agricultural owners. If the town continues to skew property taxes to large landowners, don’t be surprised at these people when they want to sell their land for development. It seems that residential owners want their open space and also want these large landowners to pay a higher proportion of the land taxes. Such people should put their money where their mouths are! 83. Cat control/ people to be more responsible walking their dogs. 84. I am not opposed to small, gradual development, such as individual homes that meet existing zoning regulations or small developments. Although I would hate to see the town grow big or have development strain on resources such as water, road maintenance, etc. 85. In reference to #1 on question #15: In the fall of 2003, loose gravel was laid down on our road. We thought that this was going to be packed down with machinery and some kind of hard coating placed over it. Nothing has been done to the road since the loose gravel was laid down. When walking in the fall on my road, a car went past me and some loose gravel was kicked up and hit my backside. I was glad that it was me and not a small child whom could’ve been hit in the face with loose gravel. Also, with a brand new vehicle, we weren’t sure what the loose gravel was doing to the underside coating of the car. Our road seemed perfectly fine before this was done. We would’ve appreciated it if we were asked about the condition of our road & also notified us when & how the condition of the road would be changed. 86. I don’t think that there is follow-up on properties where people are renting rooms to people who are not family – also about conditions that are not up to rest of area and work on houses not completed over many years. Would like to see gas lines brought in. 87. I believe that automated traffic law violation detection by video recording is essential to assuring law enforcement and influencing people to conform to traffic laws. 88. We hope to retire in this house, so hopefully the board will hold dear the reasons why they live here in Charlton and not commercialize in the name of progress. 89. There are 5 junk cars at 702 Swaggertown Road; 2 in front and 3 in back. Aren’t there zoning laws about this? Some have been there 2 or 3 years. 90. A large golf and recreation center for town residents, including town meeting and senior facilities would be nice. A large quality restaurant with support for service clubs like the rotary would be a plus. 91. Lived here for over 20 years and would not live anywhere else! 92. For at least 40 years people who have chosen to make Charlton their home have come to “live in the country”; to have quiet streets, open spaces, low crime& just to enjoy clean air and the simple life. We need to resist changes to this. People come & then decide they want all the amenities of suburbia. We need to ask ourselves if we want to become a Clifton Park, a Niskayuna or perhaps a planned community that preserves open space in lieu of progress. 93. Stop raising taxes through constant reassessment. Many people in town are on fixed incomes or without steady work. “Do not mistake for progress that which is only change” – Abraham Lincoln 94. Feedback on this survey would be appreciated immensely. Advance notice for important meetings. 95. Charlton is a highly desirable area to live in – mainly because of its charm. Future growth must be very strictly controlled. 96. I am very proud to be living in the town of Charlton. 97. We moved to Charlton to get away from politics & bickering. Since we moved here we read about Charlton politics all the time. Lets get back to the way it used to be. 98. Elmer Smith Park already is a dog park. People walk their dogs there every day and no one uses a scooper. This park is loaded with droppings! My kids play there almost every day in the summer and it’s not fair to the kids to have to be constantly avoiding the land mines! Maybe there should be more signs. We love the park, it’s a shame people aren’t more respectful of it. Street sign for Cherry Rd (at Swaggertown) needs to be made visible. We always have trouble directing people to our home because you can’t see this sign. 99. While some controlled growth is inevitable, Charlton should do everything in its power to block land development and large residential subdivisions. Charlton residents will receive the biggest long-term benefit by maintaining the rural small town feeling and charm that makes Charlton a quaint historic town. Rapid uncontrolled growth would be disastrous for Charlton. 100. If you need police help, who would you call? Charlton police or the county sheriff. We could do without the Charlton police and that would save a lot of money. 101. A small theater and an ice cream shop could add evening activities for families in the area. 102. Too much focus on spending in the historic district (considering sidewalks, street lighting, etc.) without considering amenities in the outer areas. 103. Need to bring activities into Charlton/ West Charlton where public can come, spend money and then go home elsewhere when they are done (drive-in theater, restaurants, more country stores). 104. Need to protect & preserve the wetland, pond & streams flowing in & out of Corbin Preserve – Must remain historical – Preserve open space – Do not allow demolition by neglect 105. Let’s keep Charlton the antithesis of Clifton Park or we will all be sorry. Keep open space open – do not develop farmland that is not in use – promote rental to out-of-town farmers! 106. If the only change in Charlton was to provide public water supply on Jenkins Road, I would be satisfied. 107. Founders Day weekend is a great community strengthener. The town does a great job with snow removal. 108. It is frequently heard that we do not want to be another Clifton Park. I agree, but it should not just apply to development. Attitudes and power of elected officials should not adapt to big community ways – get along! 109. This survey is typical of the wonderful things our Town of Charlton does. We love living here. Thanks for all your hard work to keep the rural nature of Charlton. We believe that there is a place for the rural community in the vast scheme of things. All towns do not need to replicate Clifton Park or Wilton. We have them as resources; we should not become them or anything resembling them. Thanks again. 110. We wish the town would do something about the ugly abandoned gas station on the corner of Stage Road and Imperial Lane. It surely doesn’t add anything to the natural beauty of Charlton. 111. Please don’t surrender the town to builders and developers who take their profits and leave the residents to pick up the resulting cost in town services. The present supervisor and town board have packed the committees with their own cronies and we can envision the supervisor as a would be dictator – one man rule. 112. I would like to see a Charlton seniors group get organized. 113. Newman Road should be totally resurfaced before our vehicles get lost in the pot holes. 114. I had a car accident and called the Charlton Police Dept. No-one called me back. 115. I feel strongly that parks are needed for children to play in. If one could donate money to the cause of their choice I would donate money for that purpose. To help farmers we have to think outside the box to develop avenues to help them generate money yet retain their rural nature. Perhaps some sort of agreement could be reached where nature trails wind through farm properties decreasing the amount of taxes the farmer pays. Residents could pay for a pass to use the facilities. We could have adopt a farm/ open space/ park. I support the xyz memberships = bumper/ window stickers. There are all kinds of ways to protect and preserve what is dear to you. 116. Apartments or condos or duplexes – yes, remain historic or upscale – small – no 30 house Interlakens, just a nice building on one lot for multiple dwellings. Have a historic appearance clause. Horseback trails – a horse owners club to work with snowmobile club to maintain trails, also hiking & walking clubs. 117. This community is the best place to bring up children. 118. I have been very disappointed in the towns treatment of the owners of the vacant gas station on the corner of Stage/ Imperial Lane. I’d rather see an active use of the property as a gas station than to see it boarded up & rotting – an invitation to neighborhood vandals & kids sneaking inside to party. Where is the fairness here? Shame on those who would claim this site for back taxes! The idea of buying it for a fair price & turning it into a park is a good alternative. 119. Lower school taxes. 120. I love it here. 121. Thanks to the steering committee for all the good work done. 122. There are many eyesore buildings & barns that are falling down and vehicles that are sitting in fields – make the property owners responsible for cleaning it up! Have you seen the barn next to Stewart’s on 147? 123. The zoning & building requirements are fine the way they are. The conditions as exist in Charlton are more than adequate to prevent large growth yet maintain the rights of property owners to use their land as they see fit. 124. Our 40+ year old house needed major renovations if we were going to stay in it for another 20 years. We looked at moving to other towns, but decided to put the money in our current house because we like Charlton and our neighbors so well. Minor changes could improve it, but please don’t ever loose what makes it a unique community. 125. The town of Charlton is a beautiful community and we feel building houses on top of houses and over-population will take away the beauty of it. 126. We moved from a small, historic town downstate that allowed mega-stores to build, open meadows to turn into developments and a senior citizen home that strangled the local water supply. I cannot go back there because that beautiful town is now over-crowded, noisy and just plain ugly. Let’s keep Charlton beautiful. 127. Streetlights = light pollution and decreases beauty of night sky – not needed unless we destroy historical character of the town. 128. While we whole-heartedly support farming, more attention by farmers who travel to various fields to spread manure would be appreciated, as more manure seems to end up on the road than in the fields. 129. Reopen gas station on Stage Road. Keep developers out. Would be nice to have bus service to markets. 130. Hope residential input will make an impact on what residents want with the present administration & future boards to come. 131. I would like our own post office. 132. How about a new gas station on Imperial Lane? 133. Preserve Charlton as a residential, rural community. No commercial development. No over-development. 134. We moved to Charlton for the country living style. We would hate to see this area turn into another commercial, over-populated town similar to Clifton Park. We appreciate seeing working farms & horses/ cows grazing. 135. We must develop fair, strict rules to limit building & over-population, loss of open space and commercial businesses. We do not want another Clifton Park or even Burnt Hills type town. We have this opportunity for preservation. Let’s plan. 136. Since there is a leash law for dogs, it would be a great service to have a dog park. I would be glad to support the usage fee so my dog could run free at times. I feel there is a need for senior services in our community. 137. I really appreciate efforts put into Founders Day – especially the fireworks! Less government = more freedom. 138. We appreciate the efforts of this committee and the enormous amount of work put into the comprehensive plan for the preservation of Charlton. 139. We need better cell phone coverage, but cell tower has to look unobtrusive or be somewhere like on top of water tower that is already an ugly thing. Multiple carriers on one tower rather than too many towers. 140. Do not allow development that will take the uniqueness of this area away. Well done survey – thanks for asking. 141. If we let Charlton develop much more it will be another Clifton Park. Do we want that? I don’t. 142. Water price way too high. Fire dept. tax way too high. School tax – state distribution needs to be fought for. If school budget goes up 5% why does BHBL Charlton school tax go up 7-8%? Other areas go up 3-4%. Who is representing us with this equalization with state funds/ taxes? 143. Thanks for asking! We’d love a sewer system, but realize the digging & treatment plant could be a detriment to the landscape. Could we hook up to somewhere else? Our drainage is poor because of wet areas all around us & this causes some problems. 144. The functions of the town government do not seem to warrant a new town hall. It would behoove the town to invest in a much needed fire station with community center which could potentially house town government functions. 145. Just leave it alone. 146. I love Charlton just the way it is! Everyone I tell where I live say “Oh, I love it out there, it is just so beautiful.” So let’s leave it the way it is. Charlton the beautiful. 147. The only thing I’d like to have is city water. Sooner or later land will be sold for development. We would like to see the country setting stay country. 148. Love towns’ attention to historical issues and the founders’ day celebration. 149. Another gas station in town would be convenient like the defunct station on Stage Road. It was handy to get a flat fixed or buy gas for a lawnmower or minor repairs. I don’t think it was an eyesore, however, some people do. Glad to see there are many volunteers on this committee, probably too many. 150. We don’t need to have a house or commercial building on every piece of open land left in this area. I’m from another, more open state and Charlton is one of the lost areas around where you can get away and see God’s countryside. There are way too many stores in the capital district. Certainly no more are needed. More people bring higher crime, littering, pollution, over congestion, stress on pubic services, traffic, noise, loss of wildlife, reduced police response and other emergency services. I chose not to live in places like Clifton Park for these same reasons. Charlton is a very unique and special part of Saratoga County and should be very carefully developed if not kept as is. I’m tired of people only focusing on the might dollar. It’s all temporal. 151. Lived here for 38 years, enjoyed it very much. 152. Suggest to use existing buildings for group homes or assisted living where possible. Tax breaks to farmers to preserve land. Start a horse trail club. 153. I think the town of Charlton needs to do more to be able to accommodate our senior citizens. The older population is one of the fastest growing - they do not need huge lawns & houses to take care of. Smaller, condensed developments/ complexes/ townhouses for the adult community is something that should be given serious consideration. 154. Get rid of the town police force and use the money to fund the new town hall. How long does it take to build a new town hall in Charlton? 155. Some questions were a little confusing like #13. Some of these already exist - I checked opposed because I don’t think any more need to be allowed. 156. The NIMBY response is inevitable but should not be ignored. Charlton’s appearance & nature is truly unique & likely resulted from the “dry” (water) town image. The small town nature is what keeps Charlton great. 157. Use limited water and lack of public sewers to prevent Charlton from becoming another East Glenville or Clifton Park. 158. No more commercialization/ no more subdivisions – large or small/ Keep what open space is left. 159. I’m sure the committee put a lot of time into constructing this survey. It is very thorough, but very time consuming – almost like doing a school report. If you’re lacking responses that may be a reason why. 160. Town should remain as a rural, residential community. Should not be opened up to widespread business development that could fail and present expensive problems to residents. 161. Thanks for the opportunity to give input and for your time and effort. 162. Increasing populations put pressure on school districts, roads, police, fire and all other municipal functions. Growth should be at a slow methodical pace. 163. Thanks to all on the committee for their hard work! 164. Stop raising the taxes every year. 165. Charlton is a great place to live. I would like for it to remain the same. 166. The town needs to find a different way to keep from using salt in winter. The grit spread instead makes a mess in driveways and gets carried into the house. In spring there’s a constant dust storm when cars travel on the street & cars are covered for months with this dirt. 167. I moved here two years ago and could not be happier. Everyone is extremely nice and friendly and the school has been exceptional. I think a day care facility would be very beneficial. 168. We love our town! 169. I find it difficult to answer the questionnaire trying to determine if our answers should reflect our personal and local interests, or our belief as to what is good for the town as a whole. Ice-skating – might be good for town but at our age is of no interest for us. 170. Please do something about the gas station on Stage Road. It is an embarrassment to this town! 171. I would like to see Charlton be a force toward purchase of development rights from farms that are about to sell out and subdivide their properties. 172. We need to keep Charlton a small village to preserve its character for our children. 173. Thank you folks for your hard work. 174. The need for non-metal and hazardous waste pick-up/ leash law enforcement 175. Charlton is a great place to live and bring up children. We can’t stop development but we need to tightly control it. We need strong zoning controls. I applaud efforts to develop a comprehensive plan. 176. We need a long-term plan to rebuild and maintain roads – bring them to a standard to handle at least today’s car and truck traffic. 177. We have 4 way stop signs on Beechwood and Redwood in Komar Park. The ones on Beechwood are often ignored. This is a bad situation because any law that is not obeyed is counter productive and it will diminish the respect for traffic laws. The stop signs on Beechwood should be removed, leaving the ones on Redwood. Check it out! 178. I believe land owners can develop their land in a manner that is consistent with the character of Charlton without the abusive restrictions & inconsistent nature of our current system. Put the rules in writing to allow everyone to follow them. 179. I would love to help out with the master plan as much as possible. I have a degree in landscape architecture. 180. School facilities should be used for adult, community use of tennis courts, sports fields, etc. Since school taxes are high, we should maximize use of the facilities at school for use by our community. No need to build more facilities, if we maximize use of what we have. 181. It may be possible to buy up development rights on some of the more scenic land. 182. Property assessments should provide measurement criteria with each considered item quantified. Emphasis should be placed on location (neighborhood), age, condition of adjacent properties and neighborhood sales. 183. Snow removal & services for roads are good. Town hall has always been helpful & friendly when we asked questions. Thank you. 184. Would like to see Charlton remain relatively unchanged with the exception of the addition of a municipal water supply for all town residents. 185. We are very concerned about Charlton considering developing. You only need to look at neighboring communities like Clifton Park to see how over development can ruin a small town. Once development has started there is no turning back. 186. Feel free to contact me about this survey & my answers – Jeff Bennett: 399-3090 187. I have neighbors with 2 dogs. One of the dogs is tied out at 5:45 in the morning, even weekends and is constantly barks. The dog is also tied out during the day for hours, and it barks the whole time. I’ve called the animal control officer who listened but really can’t do anything about it. I was told to address it with the neighbor who doesn’t care. This has been going on for almost one year with no sign of ending. 188. I want someone to monitor the care of the horses and other farm animals. Driving by it seems some don’t have shelter, proper food or care and are kept only to get a farm tax exemption. 189. I’ve moved to this area to appreciate the beauty that was all around… over the past several years we have witnessed all too much construction and our wonderful open space has now changed to traffic congested areas. 190. Please keep development to a minimum. There is too much development all around us – look at Clifton Park – we need to keep some areas rural. 191. I’ve moved to Charlton for the country feel of freedom and beauty – with all the new construction, we are now faced with more traffic and less nature to appreciate. 192. We want to keep it country, that’s why we moved here years ago. We love Charlton and want to keep it the way it is, a beautiful country village and town. 193. The town board needs to pay special attention to avoid over-development projects and reject all zoning changes or projects that would bring high density housing (municipal water and sewer projects). 194. Town zoning & planning meets the needs of the people of Charlton – right now! Need no additional people – no new growth – no need for commercial business, sewage, lights, water, schools, hotels, super stores – no need for more taxes! Charlton is a jewel – keep it precious – polish it, admire it, do not change it. 195. Wonderful place to bring up the family. Many it always remain a safe and scenic town that others may have the joy of living here as I have enjoyed these many years. Keep up the good work to keep it. I have lived here 42 years and still enjoy aging here in the beauty of Charlton. 196. It would be nice to have a leaf pickup in the fall. 197. There are a number of abandoned and unregistered cars, trailers, boats and various motorized vehicles that are in the backyards of residential zoned areas. Most of these vehicles will never be rescued and put into service and as such present a health hazard and unappealing sight to the residents of the area. Covering up these vehicles is not an acceptable answer and I urge you to adopt a policy of enforcing their removal so that the property values and attractiveness of neighborhoods can be upgraded/ The Charlton Road confusion – may I recommend: Stage Road should remain as such all the way to route 50; Lake Hill Road should remain as such all the way to the village of Charlton; Charlton Road, opposing Outlet Road, should remain as the only Charlton Road. This would stop the confusion/ Trash containers should be placed out at the curb no earlier that 7 pm the night before pickup and retrieved as soon as possible after pickup but no later than 6 pm of that day. It will help the area to look cleaner and more attractive. 198. Focusing on businesses like bed and breakfast, bakery, or a florist would enhance the quality of the town without losing the historic, small town feel – same with antique dealers, family restaurant, etc. 199. The police waste time on Route 67 & 147. The SCSO and state police patrol same. Either patrol town roads or don’t patrol. Presence is important, communicate with residents. Road checks with other police departments a joke, everyone knows ticket numbers and money sole purpose, a road check denotes being lazy, a cheap, effortless endeavor. 200. We are a community and it is important that town officials recognize the interests of the people who live here. People who own land here are not part of the community. 201. Survey sounds like a bunch of GE survey experts. Said nothing – got nothing back – never anything done anyway. 202. Need more diverse political atmosphere and openness. I like and appreciate this opportunity. 203. We are fortunate to have a contingency of concerned residents in favor of preserving rural flavor of Charlton – as it should be. However, as beautiful as our town is – the landowner has the rights to his land. These parcels of land, large and small, are privately owned and the owners or trustees have the right to dictate who uses it; what it is used for; how it is used; whether it is being used at all; now or in the future. Privately owned land is not there for the use of its neighbors, community or others, without the owners permission. A beautiful pond is there to satisfy the private owner or trustee – not to be shared by a communal group. 204. You have a unique opportunity to plan the future of Charlton. It can quickly become another Clifton Park or Latham if proper planning is not performed. 205. We love living here in Charlton. The people are friendly, responsible, civic minded and full of pride in the community itself. 206. I’d really like to see Charlton retain its agricultural/ rural flavor even if working farms are an economic challenge. Hobby farms would be a good compromise. The region has enough retail chain stores – please don’t encourage them to come to Charlton. 207. We must work to keep the ambiance and rural/ historic character of Charlton. Promote our commonality with events like party in the park, Memorial day services, Christmas tree lighting – things that bring us together & make Charlton wonderful. 208. The town should routinely require developments to mitigate the impacts of their proposed development, especially improvements to town roads. If not, the town will need to spend town funds for improvements. 209. Upon attending the first Know your town meeting and having a chance to participate, it proved to me the towns’ people met with such spiritual caring. For the most part, they are truly interested in doing what is right and best for this town. 210. I’m favor of smaller business, slow growth and local farms. I don’t think we need any big business here and we need to keep from clear-cutting our forests and wooded areas. Our government is good right now the way it is. 211. Remove abandoned gas station on Stage Road – eyesore to community. Better suited as a small park. Strongly feel there should be a limit of town dogs per household in a development. Would like to see stricter codes on maintenance of private property such as unregistered autos, and trash on front lawns. 212. Lack of water pressure. Stricter burning regulations in neighborhoods. 213. Why is there discussion regarding building a new town hall when the existing one is underutilized? Is the philosophy build it & they will come? Would like to see more informational community events – guest speakers on various topics that affect the citizens of Charlton. We are fortunate to live so close to Albany, why not take advantage of the outreach services most agencies make available? 214. If Getty would remove their gas station – that might be a nice spot for a small antique shop. We should try to find a way to establish a couple of good horse farms. 215. We moved here to get away from developments & subdivisions. I see them getting closer – please don’t let it get out of hand. 216. What’s up with being reassessed every year? I was just assessed last year – can the assessor be impeached? 217. Please no more building. Less subdivision. If you want to build a new home knock down an old one and rebuild. 218. We want a Charlton postal address so that the tax credit on purchases by mail are credited to Saratoga County. 219. The park needs more playground equipment for younger children. How can homeowners help to bring more? Fundraising? 220. We are located in an area central to everything. We don’t need any grocery stores, movie theaters, etc. It is a desired place to live and if we keep building and changing it, it won’t be any more. It will be just another suburb. 221. An examination of members of this committee shows: very few from residential areas; mostly farm area members; town board members and multiple family members. 222. The base planes polluting the ground with unexpected fuel from slower speed: safety of being south of Kesselring site? It used to be said you had to live here for 25 years before you were accepted and thankfully that is no longer seems to be true or maybe it’s just that I have lived here so long I am among the old timers. 223. We love the way it is, there is always room for improvements in all areas, but working together should keep it well. 224. I like Charlton the way it is now except for the new proposed assessment increase. This should be done after seeing the properties, not just across the board. Some places have had much more improvements that really do increase the value and others have lost value and need to have work done before taxes go up. 225. I think the firehouse should remain in the central location, where it is right now. 226. Need better maintenance for Pine Grove cemetery. It is mowed only 3 times per year. Also, workers cut hostas planted next to tombstone – why? 227. Keep 2 acre zoning for minimum lot size. It will present large-scale development & still allow landowners the use of their development rights. 228. High taxes and the cost of doing business are causing people to leave this state by the thousands plus the horrific climate also. 229. Please keep Charlton’s development slow to keep the community that makes it so desirable in the first place. 230. More money should be budgeted for road maintenance. Large, more visible street signs. 231. The surrounding communities (Saratoga, Malta, Clifton Park) are all suffering from over development, congestion, etc. These places have been, or are being ruined – Please don’t allow this to happen here. Please preserve the beauty and small town charm of the area. 232. Keep the towns needs in focus vs. politics. 233. I’d like to see a leash law on cats. They disturb the gardens and bird populations. 234. Use of postage stamps is archaic – the town should look into bulk mailing rates, a good time saver and save a few bucks/ A moratorium on developments until we know the tax impact of the bond votes on a new town hall and district 1 fire station/ What has happened that the attitude of Charlton has changed from “can do – we will all work together for the best outcome for all” to “what’s in it for me – I insist on my personal agenda.” Some town officials are quite arrogant in their treatment of that citizens and workers. Charlton is no longer a community of diversity and what a devastating loss. 235. The most important things: Public sewers – please! Allow for some cluster development of smaller homes or townhouses – we’d like to stay in Charlton, but that may not be possible without busting our housing budget. We’d like a newer house – ranch, on a smaller lot – low maintenance. Can’t find it in Charlton! 236. I would like if Charlton would have walking & hiking trails & most important, trails to ride horses. 237. Lack of informal, friendly advice/ input/ conversations with town officials. Town clerks are very nice and polite. 238. Check growth before our town turns into another ugly Clifton Park, Glenville or Burnt Hills, Route 50 area. 239. I have lived in the town for 40 years. As a child we were able to play ball in the street, ride our bikes and be out of our parents sight without worry. We were expected to be considerate of cars and adults and they were expected to be considerate of children. Horses, tractors and bikes were found on streets, and were also given reasonable consideration. Now a majority of cars speed through all streets mindful only of getting to where they are going. Everyone seems to want all the modern conveniences, no maintenance on anything, nothing getting in their way, nothing even slightly unpleasant to cope with. Such as a septic system, barking dog, or the smell of cow manure in the breeze. Raccoons in the yard, the dogs that chase them off, and rabbits eating tomatoes in the garden are the facts of life in a small, rural, country setting. Driving 4, 5 or even 10 miles to shop for food, hardware or clothes is what keeps a small town small. Horses, cows, deer, and tractors are what make the country country. I would like to do whatever it takes to keep Charlton more like the Charlton I grew up in. A quiet, small town where children could play, ride their bikes around the block and encounter people and animals of all types. Learn by experience to give all people and all things their due, and be given their due by all. To reasonably expect that all adults would preserve any childs’ safety and correct them if necessary. For all those people who want to live in a place where they can drive as fast as they want with no regard to anyone or anything else, get home to a perfect place with zero maintenance, zero noise, all the modern conveniences and a government to enforce their rules. I suggest they move to Clifton Park. One mile from everything, over developed, enormous property values and pregnant taxes and government to enforce every rule ever thought of. For the few who actually want to live in a quiet, country setting, who possess the money to live in this environment, Charlton would be the place. As long as we, Charlton, don’t just become another Clifton Park. 240. I would support family owned businesses that support/ provide & service to Charlton residents and people that visit Charlton. I don not support franchise type businesses in Charlton. 241. Consider removing barriers to shared driveways and increasing front yard setbacks to lessen the visual impacts of future homes. Promote the use of keyhole lots to better utilize our back land. Require monetary education & training on an ongoing basis for members of the planning board with regard to progressive & innovative land use. 242. We need a town or county landfill open because of the lack of competition in private garbage pickup, it cost too much. We need public water before a new developer gets it, our water is not safe to drink and we go dry during late summers and falls. 243. Need some government here to meet community needs, not the every man for himself stuff lacking concern for effect on ones neighbors. Need leadership rather than office holders making informed, trained wisecracks & jokes about matter of concern to those they’re supposed to be serving. 244. I feel in the future there will be increasing micromanagement of property development. I feel the town should have guidelines but they should not be “written in stone.” 245. Charlton is 20 minutes from anything & 20 minutes from everything, but at the end of every day I look forward to coming home to the peace & quiet & beauty of Charlton. I have long ago realized the importance of keeping commercial reality at arms length. 246. Keeping Charlton a village, preserving our older houses and preserving our beautiful wild lands are so very important. 247. We need to explore: water supply with Saratoga County & alternative energy sources (wind, solar). 248. We would like to see the 2-acre zoning limit increased but definitely not decreased. 249. We already have a master plan. However, this survey’s construction is not one that will generate an unbiased response & some questions seem not to be applicable to the future but only to some current issues. 250. A societal concern – not limited to Charlton – is that fewer & fewer baby boomers & generation Xers feel a responsibility to contribute to their community as volunteers. 251. Many questions are difficult to interpret – many could be 180 degrees off. Politically motivated questions are not productive for long term. 252. The present routine of having least educated personnel in areas of responsibility will turn the town residents against the board. You need educated, people – friendly authorities. 253. The town of Charlton is served by the volunteer ambulance service of Ballston Lake. Many other Saratoga County volunteer rescue squads have been forced to put paid paramedics on their staff to guarantee the timely response times needed in true medical emergencies. Ballston Lake often has a hard time getting volunteer paramedics for the coverage, especially during the day and often has to mutual aid for paramedics from neighboring jurisdictions. I think they need to look at upgrading to a partially paid service to better meet the needs of the communities that they serve. 254. Whatever you choose to do is just fine with me. 255. We have no interest in a re-opening of the service station on Stage Road, in fact it is an eyesore and I would like to see it torn down or turned into something useful. Also get the old gas tanks out of the ground. 256. Like to see a community center with indoor facility (volleyball, basketball) with new town hall. 257. We are very happy with Charlton just the way it is. 258. The available swimming areas are too expensive; a public pool would be great. 259. Thank you for this survey! This is very important to us. Nice to know that our opinion is requested and, hopefully matters! 260. In order to keep the present rural character of the town it is most important not to tax landowners excessively. At present the method of assessing large acreages is based on potential development value – not as agricultural land. 261. Instead of concocting ways to spend our money lets try to live and be happy with what we have. If we live modestly and spend wisely we will be doing the community a service and the world a whole lot of good. 262. Would like to see more land bought by town, county, and state as open space preservation for public use. 263. What ever happened to the master plan from the 1970’s? Why not start there and update. 264. Where I live is okay – except for the noisy traffic – do not build close the road! Too many cars do not obey the speed zone! 265. Several years ago I voiced concerns over what was becoming a junkyard next to me – many old demolished cars. It took a couple of years before the property was cleaned up. The situation occurred again and was dealt with it in a more timely fashion – but I still had to write letters to the board. 266. I think the fairness of our assessments is a joke! Some people are double taxed while others are not! The assessment of a lot in the development is half of what you can really buy a lot for. The people in the agricultural district have been subdividing the rest of the town for years with our assessment! If everyone wants Charlton to be so rural and wonderful, then enforce minimum 2 –3 acre building lots everywhere in town and give large landholders a tax break to keep their land together so they won’t subdivide it! That will keep town houses, condos and big houses or subdivisions out, and keep Charlton rural! 267. Overall, I like living in Charlton and am very proud that the community has such an upscale reputation and that’s because of the rural and quaint country atmosphere. Let’s not change it! 268. Please don’t get caught up in the need to provide & do everything for everyone. It’s really not important & its costs are too high. If you want it – you pay for it. I don’t ask others to provide for me or my family. Let the government provide only those things that everyone must have and each use. Protection, mail, roads, sound laws that protect but not stamp our personal usage of that which you own. Don’t spend time and money on issues that you really don’t control or only a very few actually benefit. 269. Survey too long, many may not respond. 270. We like Charlton the way it is – quiet, historic, low population density and great people! 271. Because of Republican infighting and Republican representation in elected positions, our fear is that politics may interfere or preclude balanced attention to wider public issues. 272. We moved from a town with no zoning and a complacent town board with an agenda seemingly only their own. Fifteen years on a beautiful 8-acre property and log home. They allowed neighbors to put a 10-acre gravel mine across the back of our property with a rumor of 90-acre strip mine across the back. No neighbors were informed. Nothing was done to stop it. For forty years I’ve lived around here watching the care this town has taken. We will die here protecting it. Thank you for this opportunity! 273. I feel the speed limit on the entire Jockey Street should be no more than 45 mph. The fact that people walk and ride bikes while cars speed by at 65 mph is outrageous. 274. Town of Charlton takes pride in its scenic beauty yet on the corner of Route 67 & Peaceable Street the storeowner has created an eyesore. If this is allowed to continue, other beautiful locations will be destroyed as well. The town needs to monitor this kind of neglect. 275. Proponents of development usually claim that the increased tax base will serve to lower taxes or per capita expenses for town services. This is a misconception. Service levels will need to increase to service the larger population and taxes will invariable increase. In order to preserve open space, I believe that the local farmers are the key. Farmers should be given incentives (tax breaks, subsidies) to keep working, profitable farms in our area. I would accept a tax increase for this purpose. I realize that nothing is fee. Pursue county funds for buying landowner development rights. Any expansion of the water distribution system must be carefully considered. Public water and sewer systems encourage development. I don not want to live in another Clifton Park. 276. Please do not take down any more trees in the village to put in a sidewalk. It makes no sense to have the speed limit on Jockey Street at 40 and on Maple at 45. Forty mph is unreasonable on Swaggertown. 277. The free tree day is very nice. Need more hazardous waste pick-up days. Shoulder of Stage Road around Valentine Road chewed up from snowplow. 278. Continued construction in Town of Ballston has an impact on our schools & we have no voice in this impact! 279. I love Charlton! 280. We need to protect & promote the family farms and open spaces of the town. We need to establish a foundation to purchase development rights on these properties. 281. All new town board is needed. 282. If commercial business grows to much – it will destroy the peace and environment of a residential community where families can enjoy life in their own homes and neighborhoods. I don’t feel its up to the town to supply areas of recreation for every interest & group. We live in an area where it’s pretty easy to get to any one of these activities or the activity can be done within the neighborhoods. 283. Do not want to see a similar situation to Glenville’s where farmland is sold to a greedy developer and houses are placed 50 feet apart to maximize a developer’s profit. Maintain the rural/ farmland character of this town! 284. This survey should have had more options for answers. Questions sum to be heavily weighted towards open space. This should be re-formatted & sent out again. 285. I believe the recent encouragement for large lots, expensive homes, brings a new class of person into the town. They are seeking less taxation for luxurious living and care only about that feature. They can afford the price, but will fight to prevent it from happening, to the detriment of the rank & title of the town population. 286. Controlled growth is important to retain our rural atmosphere. Open spaces should be protected. 287. Historic New England village character - this is a quality that is rare and difficult, if not impossible to achieve/ recreate with new construction. The future planning for Charlton should accentuate, not diminish, these attributes. More often than not the push for new construction leaves in its wake the mediocrity of suburban sprawl. 288. I am strongly opposed to a lighting district in the hamlet. Big waste of money. When is the town going to be a reality? I was very upset to see that the town clerk and highway super did not support Fred Acunto. I think we need some new blood in those positions. 289. Am concerned that some people are opposed to everything until it applies to their property at which time they would be more than happy to host a toxic dump. 290. Would like to see a town plan written in a positive manner. Would like to see a ban on dirt bikes. Make sure that builders don’t start clearing land until a building permit is granted – don’t let them plead hardship. If you do develop subdivisions, encourage sidewalks to be put in. 291. Charlton is very lucky – we are in a beautiful spot – located near everything. If any development is allowed, it should be to grow more specialty shops to make the town like Lenox or Stockbridge, Mass. 292. I believe we should look to improve cell phone – place tower on existing water tower. 293. Please help to retain the charm and peaceful atmosphere that the majority of the residents want to perpetuate. 294. I believe any plans to modify or enhance the town hall need to be made jointly with any plans to improve or move the fire station. I have heard that the fire station has explored moving since they have very little space for equipment. The best joint solution should be found. |
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