Village Board Minutes

A public hearing & regular meeting of the Village Board was held July 19, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Pasquarell called the meeting to order & led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustee Brown & Trustee Halliday were present.  Trustee Coltrain was excused & Trustee Bedell was absent.

A public hearing having been duly advertised in The Post Star on July 11, 2023 was held at 6:00 PM re: public input regarding application to the 2023 CDBG program for funding to be used for a Water/Sewer Capital Improvement Planning Study.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

John Tangora, Wall St, asked if the study would include investigating the possibilities of extending the Town of Corinth Water District.  The Water District is the jurisdiction of the Town of Corinth.

With no further comment from the public, Mayor Pasquarell closed the public hearing at 6:04 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held July 19, 2023 at 6:04 PM.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved minutes of regular meeting July 10, 2023 as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE – none.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) – none.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK/TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 7/19/2023 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved payment of abstract #4 in the amount of: Payroll $39,174.53 (#0105); General $72,994.41 (#0106-0142; 0155); Water $ 1,978.74 (#0139; 0142-0145; 0154-0155); and Sewer $12,594.55 (#0139-0142; 0145-0156).
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #14 approved, budget transfers.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Kelley was present.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

Supt Lozier informed the Board that Alison Clark was interested in using a portion of Village land on West Mechanic Street for a Girl Scout project that would allow the Scouts to plant vegetables and flowers in raised beds.  DPW would need to remove some overgrown Spruce and other evergreens.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, authorized DPW to complete necessary clearing and granted permission to Alison Clark and the Girl Scouts to plant in raised beds in a portion of W. Mechanic St vacant land for a period of three years with appropriate hold harmless agreement and insurance certificate.
Carried – 3 – 0

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 7/19/2023 read & filed.

OLD BUSINESS

Atty Buettner has received and compiled responses from the Board regarding the updates to the Garbage, Refuse & Recycling law.  A draft will be presented to the Board for their review at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Insp Hepner presented the Board with a Special Use Permit & Site Plan Review application for 28 Saratoga Ave.  The proposed project is the construction of five sets of storage unit buildings on the property.  Kevin Cleveland, the property owner and applicant, has hired a qualified engineer to oversee the project.  All plans and applications have been submitted to the Board.

Resolution #15 approved, declaration of Village Board as lead agency for the 28 Saratoga Avenue project, an unlisted action under SEQRA.

Motion by Trustee Halliday, seconded by Trustee Brown, authorized publication in The Post Star of public hearing regarding the site plan review and special use permit application for 28 Saratoga Avenue to be held Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse.
Carried – 3 – 0

Don Rhodes, consulting Village Engineer, addressed the Board about the 28 Saratoga Ave project and the potential need for a temporary easement from either the Village or the Fireman’s Association for construction of a retaining wall.  Mr. Rhodes also spoke briefly about some improvements to Association property that may be donated by Mr. Cleveland.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, approved mayoral signature on extension of contract with Axe & Eagle Lacrosse to use Jessup’s Landing Park through the end of October with language reserving the Board’s right to approve other uses of the Park during that time.
Carried – 3 – 0

Discussion of budget transfers for the Fire Department was tabled until a full Board is available.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jennifer Michelle, Locust Ridge, expressed interest in assisting the Girl Scout’s project.

Kevin Cleveland, Angel Rd, requested the Board investigate the possibility of shifting the center line on Main St away from the side of the road that permits parking to make a wider right of way for traffic.  Mr. Cleveland expressed concern with how far a vehicle needs to cross over the center line in order to avoid parked vehicles.  The Board requested Supt Lozier investigate options.

John Tangora, Wall St, requested the Board consider reducing water/sewer billing frequency to once per year.

Kevin Cleveland, Angel Rd, expressed concern with annual water/sewer billing causing a hardship for some residents.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS – none.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Mayor Pasquarell requested an executive session to discuss potential litigation and potential real estate purchase.

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, that Board adjourn to executive session as requested by Mayor Pasquarell above, 6:47 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

At 7:44 PM the Board reconvened with no action taken in executive session.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Brown, seconded by Trustee Halliday, that Board adjourn, 7:44 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer