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DRAFT Regular Meeting August 8, 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 Grattidge Councilman Mitchell Councilman Verola Supervisor Acunto
Councilman Lippiello was excused.
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Mitchell that the minutes of the July 11 Town Board Meeting be accepted as received:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Mitchell that the minutes of the July 25 Agenda Meeting be accepted as received:
Councilman Verola said that the minutes needed to be corrected to read: To enter into an executive session for a personnel issue not a Planning Board issue.
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS:
The following corrections were made to the abstract:
Voucher #1669 to US Post Office. Correct vendor Adirondack Water Works. Voucher #1684 to The Gazette has wrong account code. Voucher #1689 to Vellano Brothers. Correct vendor A. J. Vel Ltd. Voucher #1690 to Unifirst has wrong amount. Voucher #1700 to W. W. Grainger has wrong account.
The total of the July Abstract was $81,673.24.
Vouchers for the month were #1649 - #1723.
TOWN CLERK’S REPORT:
Gail Hanchar read the Town Clerk’s Report. She reported taking in $90.80. Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola. PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
Bids were opened for the alternate water transmission line at the Alplaus Kill. Bids were received from: Lash Contracting $197,500.00 Cutting Edge Group, LLC $99,100.00 794 Watervliet Shaker Road 14 Walkup Cutoff Road Latham, New York 12110 Lake George, New York 12845
The bids will be forwarded to Mr. Morgan and the Water District Engineer for a recommendation. We will probably act on a bid at the next Agenda Meeting.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (Agenda Items):
No comments.
SUPERVISOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
July expenditures and revenue: General Fund – Revenue of $111,194.90. Expenditures of $ Highway Fund – Revenue of $190.29. Water District #1– Revenue of $77,331.34. Water District #2 – Revenue of $5.36.
Major revenue: Revenue was from sales tax distribution, planning board fees and safety inspections.
Major expenditures: General Fund – Internal Audit of $845.00, Law Contractual of $12,137.50, Records Management (for books that were restored) of $1,430.00 and Buildings Contractual of $1,754.08. Highway Fund – Maintenance of Roads Contractual of $22,969.75 and Capital Outlay of $26,220.52. Water District – Transmission and Distribution of $1,681.51.
There were 811 hits on the web site this month.
In the suit of Swartz vs. the Town of Charlton stemming from the accident with the highway plow in February of 2004, it was settled without a trial. The insurance company awarded a claim to the Swartz of $2,650.00.
We received a letter from Senator Farley announcing that he was able to acquire a grant for the Town toward our Town Hall and/or generator in the amount of $20,000.00.
We received a notice from the NYS Board of Real Property Service stating that the final equalization rate for the Town has been set at 100%. Town of Ballston is tentative at 90%. Town of Galway is final at 80%. Town of Clifton Park is set 72.5%.
ASSESSORS:
Our equalization rate has been set at 100%. We have two small claims this year. If anyone has a question on their data or how your property was appraised, now is a good time to talk with the assessors.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN:
The electronic voting was completed today. They did send out the first results of the initial voting on the strategies from the committee members. We will get more detailed information from the consultant in a couple of weeks.
CONSTABLES:
For the month of July there were 26 patrols, answered 10 911 calls, traveled 1837 miles, issued 36 tickets and investigated 3 accidents.
HIGHWAY:
They are working on paving and sealing roads and also on shoulders.
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION:
They met last month. The Historian of the Town of Clifton Park gave a presentation and also spoke on what they are doing there to help with keeping open space with tax incentives. Their next meeting will be August 17 at 7:00 P.M. They will be discussing web site suggestions at that meeting.
PLANNING BOARD:
They have been very busy. There is a major subdivision on Swaggertown Road that they are looking at. They will meet Monday, August 15 at 7:00 P.M.
RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD:
They will meet on August 24 at 7:00 P.M.
TOWN HALL:
We are waiting for the Phase 3 report from the archeology folks. It is due in the next week. If we get a positive declaration that they aren’t going to continue doing that, we are hoping to put together a presentation for September and vote on the new town hall in November.
WATER:
The bids read this evening were for a secondary line under the Alplaus Creek. It is a directional bore that will give us the opportunity, that if the main breaks that is there now and is 30+ years old, it will satisfy the water tower and the approximately 200 homes north of the Alplaus Creek. At this time, we don’t have anything. We are also adding fire service in that vicinity. We put a new electronic alert system in the pumping station to monitor the water tower. We have been having problems with lightning strikes. When we have a strike, it trips the phases of everything and sends the pumps on full flow and the water tower overflows. We have no way of knowing. The last time it happened we lost 300,000 gallons of water.
ZONING:
For the month of July they issued 9 permits, 4 CO’s and collected $537.00.
RESOLUTIONS:
Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution #111, A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT OF TOWN OF CHARLTON JUSTICE COURT FOR THE YEAR 2004, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Mitchell, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution #112, A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17, 2005 AS CONSTITUTION WEEK, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Grattidge that Resolution #113, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN EMERGENCY ELECTRONIC REPAIR AT THE CHARLTON WATER DISTRICT PUMP HOUSE, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution #114, A RESOLUTION TO TRANSFER FUNDS, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
MOTIONS:
Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Mitchell, A motion authorizing the bookkeeper to refund a subdivision fee of $100.00 to Anna Lachtrupp, be approved:
Councilman Grattidge said there was going to be a subdivision on this property but instead of a subdivision it became a lot line adjustment. There is no fee for a lot line adjustment.
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
Motion made by Councilman Grattidge, seconded by Councilman Verola, A motion authorizing the bookkeeper to apply $100.00 of the subdivision fee paid by Mr. and Mrs. Lawson to their engineering escrow account, be approved:
Supervisor Acunto said a $200.00 subdivision fee was paid by Mr. and Mrs. Lawson of Cook Road. It was determined that the fee would be $100.00. The other $100.00 would be applied to the engineering escrow account.
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
COUNCILMAN REPORTS:
Councilman Verola – Nothing more. Councilman Grattidge stated that Ron has been working on Dawson Road. The sign configuration has been changed. Instead of Yield Signs there are now Stop signs and a Yield Sign for the traffic coming off of Crane Street onto Newman. At the last meeting there was discussion about the condition of a bridge in Mill Pond Park. The repair had been done in June when it was first brought up. Ron has put up a sign indicating the bridge is to be used for pedestrian use only. Condolences to the LaFountain and Almy families. Councilman Mitchell reminded everyone that the deadline for the October newsletter will be October 15.
PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR:
Vicki Hayner – Assessor – Another directory will be coming out. Someone may be calling you to verify your phone number.
Chris Nelson – Sacandaga Road – Thanked Supervisor Acunto for getting the traffic light at Route 67 and Route 147 working properly.
Dave Schweizer – DeGraff Road – Thanked Ron for the nice job done on DeGraff Road.
Teri Bordenave – Old Stage Road – Asked what the surveying was that was being done on Old Stage Road? John Morgan said it was for a possible extension to the water district for the proposed new firehouse. Councilman Grattidge said that the fire department is holding a public hearing on August 18. If they decide to apply for an extension of the water, they will have to come to the Town Board and ask for the creation of a water district that will generate another public hearing later on in the fall. John said there will be marking along all of Old Stage by the geotherm outfit.
Linda LaRue – Tax Collector – Read a statement to the Town Board asking for a professional setting for the taxpayers to pay their taxes. She is asking for primary use of the meeting room at the Town Hall January 1, 2006- February 4, 2006 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. to collect taxes. She will need a phone jack in the wall behind the conference table.
Kevin Stone – Charlton Road – Asked if there was an update on the water samples that John has been taking? John stated that the chlorination samples are taken continuously. Copper and lead samples are taken once and year and came back OK. Kevin asked if there were any issues with chlorination in the water district? John said that right now the residual is being satisfied. The Department of Health will be letting us know what they want us to do in the future. We are waiting for a report. Kevin asked if the Town Board was planning to put in place a policy for a request from a subdivision for a water extension? Is there a general policy or is it one by one? Supervisor Acunto said we accept the petition and take them one by one. Kevin said there was a moratorium a couple of years ago on extensions. Supervisor Acunto said that had expired. The subdivision on Crooked Street is in the State Appellate Court. We are waiting for a decision. Kevin asked how much the Town could receive from the County surplus. Supervisor Acunto said it would be $99,000+.
Teri Bordenave asked the status of the time frame for the Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Mitchell said the committee is continuing to work on the strategies. It will take some time yet. The meetings are open to the public. There will be a meeting on August 29 and September 6 at the schoolhouse. Any information regarding meeting dates and the work being done is on the web site. Teri asked if there was an interface between the Comprehensive Plan and the Planning Board. Councilman Mitchell said there is an overlap in membership. Marv Schorr stated that the plan of action for the Comprehensive Plan is to complete the voting on the strategies. Then the plan will be written based on the strategies that are agreed on. Following that, there will be a public informational meeting and then a public hearing for input. After that a draft plan will be presented to the Town Board. They will hold a public hearing and decide to accept or reject the plan. Teri asked what the time frame would be. Marv said they don’t have a mandated end date. They are moving along as quickly as they can but they would rather have it done right than fast because this will chart the future of the Town for at least the next 20 years. Supervisor Acunto asked for suggestions on how to improve communication. Teri suggested that the Board spell out a time frame so the public would know what to anticipate. She said it has been some time since members of the community have had the opportunity to provide input to the process. Supervisor Acunto said the Comprehensive Plan Committee is finding it difficult to work within windows because one question raises another question. He personally does not feel that the Town Board should be putting any kind of limitations on the Committee. He feels it would be an injustice to the work they are doing. Councilman Verola said time limits were discussed at the last meeting she attended. She believes the consensus of the Committee was that it is too important an issue to rush through but they are sensitive to the need to move along.
Ray Simboli - Old Stage Road – He stated that we all have time frames in our professional and personal lives. Supervisor Acunto stated that these people are volunteers and he does not feel it is fair to ask them to have it on the table by a certain date. They are in uncharted water. Marv said that if you want to follow what is going on, the minutes of every meeting are posted on the web site. They are very detailed. Marv does not believe the committee can work within a time frame. They just completed the first vote on 268 strategies to achieve 14 goals. That vote was to narrow down the 268 strategies to see how many they have to discuss further. There will be at least 100 strategies that will have to have further discussion before they can get to writing the plan itself.
Kevin Stone said that he had attended several of the last meetings. They are very active in the discussions and working very hard. He urged people to talk to Steve Caine for updates. He also encouraged people to attend the meetings. He feels the next couple of meetings will start some critical debate on the real hard issues.
Suzanne Voigt – Dawson Road – Asked if the web site is interactive where people’s concerns or questions could be addressed? Supervisor Acunto said the public could address any concerns to the Board members and they will pass them on to the Comprehensive Plan members. Suzanne said she believes people may have the fear that the Comprehensive Plan will not get done. She would not like to see Charlton get a WalMart before we have a Comprehensive Plan that will stop it. Supervisor Acunto stated that the Comprehensive Plan will hold an Informational Meeting. They cannot hold a Public Hearing. Only the Town Board can hold a Public Hearing.
Christy Schrader – Eastern Avenue – She said that a lot of people on the Comprehensive Committee are anxious to have it done as well. It has been a long haul.
Bob Cromie – Route 67 – He believes there should be no hurry with the Comprehensive Plan. If you study our zoning, WalMart can’t be here.
Motion made by Councilman Mitchell, seconded by Councilman Verola, A Motion to adjourn to an executive session for a personnel matter, be approved:
Approved: Councilman Grattidge Yes Councilman Lippiello Absent Councilman Mitchell Yes Councilman Verola Yes Supervisor Acunto Yes
The next Agenda Meeting will be August 29 at 7:30 P.M.
After everyone had the opportunity to speak who wished, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Hanchar, Town Clerk |
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