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Town of Charlton Saratoga County Town Board Meeting
7:30pm
May 12, 2008
The Regular meeting of the Town Board of Charlton was held at Charlton Town Hall. The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Grattidge at 7:30pm.
Present: Councilman Lippiello, Councilman Gardner, Councilman Salisbury, Councilman Verola, Supervisor Grattidge, Town Clerk Brenda Mills, Town Attorney VanVranken.
Supervisor Grattidge lead the pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was observed in memory of Bob Cromie.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Gardner, to accept the meeting minutes of the Town Board Meeting held on April 14, 2008.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello, to accept the meeting minutes of the Town Board Special Meeting held on April 14, 2008.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello, to accept the meeting minutes of the Town Board Agenda Meeting held on April 28, 2008.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS & TOWN CLERK REPORT
A motion was made by Councilman Gardner and seconded by Councilman Verola to accept General Fund Claims No. 1334-1353 in the amount of $14,668.07 as set forth in the abstract No.109, and also General Fund Claim No. 808 in the amount of $52.00 as set forth in the abstract No. 8805.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello to accept the Town Clerk’s monthly report.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
For the month of April I attended 5 Town meetings and 5 County meetings. Some of the highlights of the month:
- Attended the installation of Officers for the Harmony Corners Fire Department - Met with the Party in the Park Committee - Attended meetings concerning the New Town Hall Project - Attended the 4-H Walkathon
April Expenditures and Revenue:
WEB SITE ACTIVITY
The overall number of visits to the Town of Charlton Web Site during the month of April was: Entire site; 0ver 100,000 Average per day; 3300, Page views; 60,000, Average per day; 2,000 approximate.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
There will be a kick-off meeting for the Agricultural Task Force Meeting on May 14, 2008 at 7:30pm.
A Public Hearing will be held May 13, 2008 at 7:30pm for the MHP Properties Application for the new office project to be built at the corner of Lake Hill and Stage Roads.
Registration forms are now available in the Town Clerk’s office for the Hazardous Waste Disposal Day on August 9, 2008. Computers will be limited again this year. Batteries are not considered hazardous waste.
There are applications available in the Town Clerk’s office for the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Grant.
The Town offices will be closed Monday, May 26, 20008 in observance of Memorial Day.
COMMUNICATIONS
Supervisor Grattidge said that the Town did receive a letter by certified mail on April 23, 2008 from Walter Schmidt, as well as a copy of a letter that went out to the general population. The letter asked for reinstatement to the construction job. Since we are currently in litigation with Schmidt and Schmidt, the Supervisor asked for the opinion of our Special Attorney Joel Howard. The Attorney responded with the following e-mail:
From: Joel Howard
[mailto:JHoward@COUCHWHITE.COM]
Alan This is in response to your voicemail of this morning concerning whether you should respond to the letter of April 18th to the Town Board from Walter Schmidt on the subject of having the Town allow Schmidt & Schmidt finish the work at the Town Hall. I have come to conclusion over the years that not every communication requires/deserves a response. I think that Mr. Schmidt's letter does not require a response. His firm had its contract terminated for failure to perform. While we have had a frustrating time with Selective, I have not seen anything so far that makes me think that the decision that was made after reports and recommendations from Paul Carr and Paul Vosburgh was a bad decision. The building was closed in and protected from the elements. At some point, either through Selective or otherwise, the building will be finished and at some point the litigation that was initiated by Mr. Schmidt through counsel will be concluded. It is clear to me that the Town bent over backward and then some to give Mr. Schmidt the opportunity to demonstrate his firm's capability. His responses to straightforward questions like how long would it take to get the roof on revealed a clear lack of problem solving ability. He seemed more interested in showing the architect and the owner's rep to be villains than moving the job. I doubt a second chance would produce a better result for the Town and we would also have a lot of explaining to do on the subject of why he was taken back.
Mr. Schmidt has commenced litigation and is speaking through his attorney - Mr. Fox. I think you should leave it that.
Joel
Joel M. Howard, III, Esq. Couch White, LLP
Supervisor Grattidge stated that we received a letter from Assemblyman Tedisco’s office congratulating the Town on a member item grant that was in the past years budget to rebuild the water pumps and upgrade the electrical systems. The amount is $12,000.00.
Supervisor Grattidge stated that he received a letter from Sue Breault. She is concerned about automobiles that are being stored improperly on a neighbor’s adjoining property. Supervisor Grattidge said that he has passed the letter on to the Zoning Department to look into.
DEPARTMENT AND COMMITTEE REPORTS
Town Engineer, Mike McNamara gave the Supervisor 3 copies of the MS4 Annual Report. Charlton is in compliance. The Town has had very good results and the water testing is good. This year we can put the Annual Report on the website in lieu of a public hearing.
The Constable’s report was read by Councilman Gardner.
ECC – Marv Schorr said that the Roadside Clean-up was very successful. There were more volunteers this year, and every main road in the Town was covered. He thanked the Town Board for their support, and also the Charlton General Store for their donation of coffee. It was a great community effort.
Parks – George Eggleston thanked the Highway Department for their work in the Parks. Councilman Lippiello said that a group was looking into what it would take to replace the bridge in the park.
Highway – A letter was given to the Town Board informing them of a need for summer help. Councilman Gardner read the highway report.
Zoning – The report was read by Councilman Gardner. There was a total of $2,398 collected in Zoning fees.
Planning – Councilman Verola said that the Planning Board met on April 21st. They handled 3 subdivision applications, 1 lot line change, and the presentation of one proposed construction project.
Animal Control – Councilman Verola said that there were 2 dogbites reported. Both dogs had to be taken for rabies quarantine. There was one dangerous dog filing. Also there was one small white dog found on Route 67 that was taken to the shelter. There have been several loose dog complaints. The Animal Control Officer responded to one fire call where dogs were present in the home, but removed safely by the firemen.
Water – Councilman Lippiello stated that the first pump is still being rebuilt.
Assessors - Supervisor Grattidge stated that due to the death of Bob Cromie, there is a need to fill an Assessor position. Whoever fills the position will need to run for election in November.
MOTIONS, RESOLUTIONS, PROCLAMATIONS
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #77 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CREATION OF THE POSITION OF TOWN JUSTICE COURT CLERK, FUNDING OF THE POSITION AND AMENDMENT OF THE TOWN OF CHARLTON ANNUAL BUDGET FOR 2008 be approved.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Lippiello and seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution #78 – A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURE OF TOWN FUNDS TO CELEBRATE FOUNDERS DAY WEEKEND IN THE TOWN OF CHARLTON be approved.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution #79 – A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE TOWN OF CHALRTON STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM 2007 ANNUAL REPORT be approved.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Proclamation/Resolution #80 – A FOUNDERS DAY RESOLUTION TO HONOR M. GRACE NORDLUND JORGENSEN AND THE CHARLTON NURSES be approved.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Gardner that Resolution #81 – A RESOLUTION TO APPOINT ONE TEMPORARY SUMMER EMPLOYEE TO THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT be approved.
Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye Approved
AUTHORIZATIONS
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Lippiello to approve the Park Permit application by the Mix Masters for June 1, 2008.
Vote: All Ayes, Zero Nays, CARRIED
A motion was made by Councilman Verola and seconded by Councilman Gardner to approve the Park Permit application by Terry Ostrander for July 13, 2008.
Vote: All Ayes, Zero Nays, CARRIED
COUNCILMAN REPORTS
Councilman Verola said that residents that received their newsletter by e-mail also were sent one by regular mail. After discussion it was decided that it was okay to purge the names of those receiving it electronically from the mailing list.
Councilman Lippiello offered sympathy to the Cromie family. He also thanked the Highway Department for their effort in picking bulk waste items.
Councilman Gardner and Councilman Salisbury had nothing new to report.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
No discussion ensued.
The meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Brenda Mills Town Clerk |
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