Town of Charlton

Saratoga County

Town Board

 

March 27, 3006

 

7:30pm (mf)

 

The Agenda meeting of the Town Board of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York held at 7:30 pm at the Charlton Town Hall, called to order by Supervisor Grattidge.

 

Present:  Supervisor Grattidge, Councilman Lippiello, Councilman Salisbury, Councilman Verola and Town Attorney Robert VanVranken.

 

Absent:  Councilman Gardner

 

The meeting was called to order by Alan Grattidge, Supervisor.

 

Supervisor Grattidge announced, this meeting is to set the Agenda for the Regular Meeting of the Town Board on April 10, 2006.  The enclosed information would be discussed.

 

The Town Board will approve the following meeting minutes:

March 13^th Public Hearing on Solid Fuel Burning Furnaces

March 13^th Regular Meeting

March 27^th Agenda Meeting

 

The following items will be place on the Agenda.

Abstract of Claims

Town Clerks Report

             Supervisors Reports and Announcements

Expenditures and Revenues

Web Site activity

 

A motion made by Councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Lippiello authorizing the town clerk to prepare the abstract of claims.  Approved

 

Roll Call Vote: Councilman Gardner: Absent, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

Supervisors Announcements:

 

On April 14, 2006 the Town Hall will be closed.

 

On March 29^th at the Town of Ballston Government center the Department of Environmental Conservation will hold a seminar on erosion and sediment control.

 

Saratoga County Department of Motor Vehicle has opened a new office at the Wilton Mall. 

 

The Saratoga County Board of Supervisors is sponsoring a Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall, it is a replica from the wall in Washington DC.  The wall would be on display June 8^th-12^th at the ShenantahaPark in the Town of Malta.  Volunteers are needed.  An article would be in the Town Board Newsletter.

 

Saratoga County Veterans Float is available for the Founders Day Parade.  Dick Lupi is the contact person for organizing volunteer veterans to ride on the float.  An article will be placed in the newsletter looking for volunteers.

 

A Sundae on the Farm will be held at Smith Bros. Farm located on Jockey Street.  A date and further information will be announced. 

 

The deadline for the Town Board Newsletter is April 3^rd.  Submit all news articles to the Town Clerk Heather Scribner.  Councilman Verola stated when the newsletter is complete an electronic copy will be sent to the web master for posting on the web site.  Councilman Lippiello stated the Charlton web site has a link to sign up and receive an electronic version.  This would enable you to receive your newsletter before it reaches the home mailbox.

 

Supervisor Grattidge received a budget number of $2000.00-$3000.00 to prepare a water summary; this was discussed at the March 13^th meeting.  As the scope of the work becomes more defined we would be able to estimate the cost.

 

The Park in the Park committee will meet on April 12^th at 7:00pm.

 

The Town Board will hold a workshop meeting with the Charlton Seniors on March 30^th at 5:00pm.

 

The Town Board met on March 20^th at the office of Attorney Robert VanVranken, to review the RFP proposals for the owner’s representative for the New Town Hall.  The Town Board discussed special inspections and a tentative job schedule for the New Town Hall.  Supervisor Grattidge stated there were no actions taken by the town board.  Then again, the Town Board met on March 23^rd at the office of Attorney Robert VanVranken to interview a perspective candidate for the owner’s representative.  Supervisor Grattidge stated there were no actions taken by the town board.

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated the town board has made minor changes to the proposed Local Law No.3 of 2006 on Solid Fuel Burning Furnaces.  The changes made were in the section; permitted fuel only; firewood, coal and untreated lumber are permitted to burn in the outdoor wood burning furnaces. Another minor change was the distances from adjacent residential structures are at 200 feet.  No other changes were made.  ECC Chairman Marv Schorr asked if the town board would consider changes down the road based on experience with the furnaces.  Supervisor Grattidge stated absolutely.

 

The town board will vote on the proposed Local Law at the April 10^th town board meeting.

 

Resolutions for the April 10^th Town Board Meeting:

 Intermunicipal Agreement for Shared Highway Services

 Appoint John Mazur as member of the Assessment Board of Review

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated in order to serve as a member of the Assessment board of review you are required to take training and a test.

 

The town board is reviewing the fee schedule for building rates. Supervisor Grattidge stated the changes he has included are; adding a $25.00 minimum to the building permit fees to help defray the administrative costs. The application fee is increased from $100.00 per a lot to $600.00 per lot, so we do not have to establish an escrow account for exempt and minor subdivisions. The engineering review would be included in the cost of the fee.  The park fee would increase from $600.00 per a lot to $1200.00 per a lot, this would be a separate account used for park, recreation, trails etc.  In addition, we might want to include a worksheet on the major subdivisions for engineering and what the application fee would cover and when the escrow would count. Councilman Lippiello suggested including the level of expense on an escrow account and when it would be established.  Supervisor Grattidge stated we could attach a procedure that could be used to establish an escrow account.  On a major subdivision the cost estimate is $300.00 - $400.00, that is what the town engineer generally charges to do a review. Supervisor Grattidge suggests designating $300.00 towards engineering fees on a major subdivision then an escrow account would need to be established when they use that amount of money up.  This would be a town review when someone is submitting for a subdivision.  Councilman Salisbury stated the applicant pays these fees.  Supervisor Grattidge stated the system right now is a little cumbersome if you come in for a 1 lot or 2 lots you would have to have this escrow established, it would be a more stream line process if they could come in, pay their application fee and that amount was covered by their application fee.  When you come in for a major subdivision the engineering is more extensive. It’s having clear language when the escrow account would take over from the fees. On note 2, escrow accounts will be required for all major subdivisions.  The timing of when you will need to come in has to be clarified.  Discussed was including a note 3.  Councilman Salisbury stated if you had a flat amount that went into the escrow account if they didn’t use it the applicant would get that back.  Supervisor Grattidge suggested to identify on the fee schedule after $300.00 is used for engineering…  Town Attorney Robert VanVranken stated for example once half of the application fee is expending for engineering and legal fees that the town board may establish additional escrow beyond 50 percent of the application fee.   Supervisor Grattidge stated currently a separate account is set up.  The town board has agreed to table the fee schedule for another month.  Town Attorney Robert VanVranken suggests presenting a new draft at the April 10^th meeting. Supervisor Grattidge stated he would like the fee schedule enacted on by May 1^st.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution No. 88 A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT A.K.W. CONSULTING, INC. AS THE TOWN BOARD’S REPRESENTATIVE WITH RESPECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW TOWN HALL. be approved:

 

Discussion:

Councilman Lippiello stated we have found a very confidant owner’s representative for the New Town Hall.  I feel very comfortable with this gentleman over seeing the construction.  He has done a lot of work in the area along with restoration work.  He has taken Proctor’s on for the past three years.  That’s quite of an accomplishment.  Councilman Verola expanded; he was the project manager for the Niskayuna town hall and for several community colleges. Town Attorney Robert VanVranken stated his fee is up to $93,000.00 based upon the hourly rate.

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated the town board received three Requests for Proposal.

 

Roll call vote:  Councilman Gardner: Absent, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

Supervisor Grattidge announced Heather Scribner is working on a town board link to the Charlton web site.  A draft was given to the town board.  She is also working on updating the towns FOIL request form.

 

The town board is reviewing the Burning Ordinance; Supervisor Grattidge has passed it on to the ECC for review and the Zoning Review Committee.

 

The town board is reviewing the town’s Park Rules and Regulations, possibly updating the application.  Supervisor Grattidge stated this ordinance No. 10 was established in 1978.

 

The town board is reviewing the Employees Hand Book.  Supervisor Grattidge stated the town board has received information on Amtec Management Service, a company who has worked with the Town of Malta and Town of Galway on their Employee Hand Book. Supervisor Grattidge is awaiting a copy of the Town of Galway.  Supervisor Grattidge will set up a workshop meeting with Amtec to find out what their procedure is and how much it would cost. Supervisor Grattidge stated sometime in late April early may.

 

The town board announced a tentative schedule for the New Town Hall. The plans will be available for bidding April 17^th, receiving the bids from the contractors starting May 16^th, accepting the bids June 5th and ground breaking June 19^th.  Supervisor Grattidge stated it would depend on how those events fall on board meetings.

 

Councilman Salisbury stated he would like having another independent audit of the town for last year.  Supervisor Grattidge suggested meeting with the finance committee.  Councilman Salisbury stated sometime in May.

 

Councilman Lippiello will give an update from the Time Warner Cable informational meeting.  An article will be placed in the Town Board Newsletter.

 

ECC Chairman Marv Schorr stated thank you to the web master, we know have a link on the Charlton web site of the Saratoga County Storm Water Management Program.

 

Councilman Lippiello stated he would speak to the web master in getting a link on the web site for the Town of Ballston Community Library.

 

Supervisor Grattidge adjourned the meeting at 8:20pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Heather Scribner