Village Board Minutes

April 15, 2026 (XX)

A public hearing and regular meeting of the Village Board were held April 15, 2026 at 6:00 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

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

Roll Call: Trustee Bedell, Trustee Kietzman & Trustee Stollery were present.  Trustee Clark was absent.

A public hearing as published in The Post Star on April 7, 2026 was held at 6:00 PM to present the proposed 2026/2027 Village Budget. 

Clerk-Treas Colson outlined the key components of the proposed budget; proposed tax rate is $6.21 per thousand, an increase of approximately 5% from 2025/2026.  Proposed $207 annual water MVC, and $441 sewer MVC, a net increase of $62 per year.  General Fund budget is $3,425,592, a decrease of $76,150, with $79,817 to be appropriated from fund balance.  Water budget is $828,054 with $100,000 to be appropriated from fund balance.  Sewer budget is $1,064,701 with $25,000 to be appropriated from fund balance.  No reserve contributions are budgeted.

Wage increases include a range of 2% - 3% raises to non-Union employee compensation; an increase to the Trustee salaries of 2%, no increase to the mayor’s salary; increase to crossing guard payrates of $2.00 per hour; and an increase to the part-time laborer rate of $1.50 per hour.  Increases to the Union employees were set by contract at $0.90 per hour. DPW projects proposed include restoration of Park Drive and Dunn Ave, in addition to assisting with Heath St & Hill Ave reconstruction.  Equipment purchases proposed include jackhammer attachment for the excavator estimated at $13,000.  Fire Department planned equipment purchases include updating hydraulic equipment, a rescue litter for backwoods rescues, and an underwater drone for the scuba team.The majority of the budget increases are attributable to fuel and utility increases, health insurance also increased by 20%. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Jim Murray, Center St, asked if the Firehouse solar panels were still providing a benefit and requested the Board consider installing solar panels on the DPW garage and pole barn.

With no further comments from the public Mayor Miller closed the public hearing, 6:15 PM.

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer

A regular meeting of the Village Board was held April 15, 2026 at 6:15 PM in the Firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved minutes of April 1, 2026 regular meeting as typed.
Carried – 3 – 0

CORRESPONDENCE

Assemblyman Simpson responded to the Village’s resolution requesting increased municipal aid and offered his support during upcoming NYS budget hearings.

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

DEPARTMENT REPORTS

CLERK-TREASURER – Clerk-Treas Colson was present, report for 4/15/2026 read & filed.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved payment of abstract #21 in the amount of: Payroll $38,021.73 (#0950); General $60,026.84        (#0951-0972; 0980-0981; 0982-0987); Water $4,706.17 ( #0973-0976; 0982-0986); Sewer $8,219.62 (#0977-0978; 0980-0981; 0983-0986); and Capital Projects $428.00 (#0979).
Carried – 3 – 0

All pre-budget filings for the 2026/2027 budget have been completed, Tax Cap Compliance is filed and the proposed levy is $50,208 under the tax limit.  Constitutional Tax Limit calculation has 14.48% of the tax limit exhausted.

FIRE DEPARTMENT – Chief Granger was present.

DPW/WATER/WWTP – Supt Lozier was present.

Leaf & brush pickup has begun.  DEC has not yet scheduled the Reservoir stocking.

BUILDING INSPECTOR – Insp Hepner was present, report for 4/15/2026 read & filed.

Insp Hepner is dealing with the emergency situation at 2 Palmer Ave.  Insp Hepner also answered questions regarding violations& complaints listed on his report.  Mayor Miller inquired about parking violations at 209 Mill St, Insp Hepner stated the Sheriffs have not issued tickets.  The mayor requested DPW place cones in the area.

OLD BUSINESS – none.

NEW BUSINESS

The Board discussed the proposed 2026/2027 Budget and Trustee Kietzman asked if equipment reserves are currently adequately funded.    The other Board members were in agreement that the reserves are currently not adequately funded, but there was no financially responsible way to add funds without a significant tax increase.  The Board is amenable to making future reserve contributions if excess funds become available during the fiscal year.

Resolution #XX approved, adoption of the 2026/2027 Budget as presented at the April 15, 2026 public hearing.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, approved Corinth Image Committee special event request for July 3, 2026 including access to the Firemen’s dock power outlets and access to the Beach bathrooms until 10:00 PM to be facilitated by the mayor.
Carried – 3 – 0

Resolution #XX approved, hiring of Randy Winslow as Firehouse Janitor as of April 15, 2026; $18.50 per hour.

Resolution #XX approved, appointment of Jason Crowl as 3^rd Lieutenant for the Fire Department.

The Board tabled consideration of the FEMA Disaster recovery Center Agreement until Atty Buettner can confer with the County Attorney.

Resolution #XX approved, revision of Utility Modification Application to add additional liability language.

The Board considered two quotes for replacement of filters at the water treatment plant: Filter Source $13,692.64 and Koester $14,820.56.

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Stollery, approved purchase of Harmsco water filters from Filter Source for $13,692.64.
Carried – 3 – 0

Motion by Trustee Kietzman, seconded by Trustee Bedell, approved mayoral signature on proposal from Bartlett, Pontiff, Stewart & Rhodes to act as bond counsel for long term closing of CWSRF #C5-5542-05-00.
Carried – 3 – 0

The Board requested Atty Buettner resend previous research into age restrictions at beaches for their review and tabled further discussion until the next meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Eleanor Allen, Warren St, requested attentionto ongoing Code violations of a vehicle repair shop on Hamilton Ave.  Ms. Allen states the property and an adjoining lot have over 15 inoperative vehicles stored; there are also an abandoned camper and parts of pickup trucks.

Jim Muray, Center St, thanked the Board for responding to the situation at 2 Palmer Ave quickly and recommended the Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer check streets for any violations or repairs needed on properties and address all observed issues.

Louise Kirkpatrick, Dunn Ave, requested the Village amend Village Code to require a certificate of commercial insurance on vacant properties.

Mike Woodcock, Pine St, complained of significant odor from the WWTP this time of year.  Mayor Miller stated chemicals were used to eliminate odorand also suggested large barn fans to blow odors out over the river.  WWTP staff will work on the issue.

Dave Roberts, W. Mechanic St., stated large dirt bikes are damaging the Reservoir trails and requested the Board find ways to prevent dirt bike use without blocking trails to hikers & families.  The Board discussed a few ideas for obstacles and will continue looking for solutions.

BOARD COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & CONCERNS

Trustee Kietzman made several recommendations for Board consideration including amending building permits to have firm completion dates, requiring yearly inspections of all rental properties, more aggressive enforcement of the Nuisance Code, a moratorium on battery storage facilities, solar projects and data centers, install additional signage on the Reservoir property, install bicycle racks in the Village, update the Zoning Code to allow internally illuminated signage, and require all new multi-unit buildings to undergo site plan review.

Mayor Miller stated the Village has received permission from National Grid for expanded pole usage for Hometown Hero banners and stated he will be calling the Sheriff regarding the increased motor bike and electronic bike usage violations in the Village.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Trustee Bedell, seconded by Trustee Kietzman, that Board adjourn, 7:35 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk-Treasurer