REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9, 2003
GALWAY TOWN HALL
Supervisor Hargrave called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
The following Town Board Members were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor George Hargrave Councilman Michael Tillson Councilman William Topper Councilwoman Susan Sutch
Councilman Charles Quinlan
OTHERS PRESENT: F. Reedy; D. DeRidder; P. Dobo; J. Sullivan; S.
Pandori; P. Keeler, Historian; C.W. Hansen, Highway Superintendent & M. DeFoe, Town Clerk.
Pledge to the Flag
A motion was made by Councilman Topper, seconded by Councilwoman
Sutch to approve the minutes of the August
12, 2003 meeting as submitted.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Communications – Town Clerk stated that all board
members were given a copy of the Galway Volunteer Fire Company’s Bi-Annual
Report. Executed copy of the Animal
Shelter Contract was received from the Saratoga County Attorney’s Office
covering 1/1/03 to 12/31/03. Town share to be $365.00 due & payable on
or before October 1, 2003.
Privilege of the Floor – Jeff Sullivan lives
in the town on Birchton Road
and is requesting permission to do an Eagle Scout Project in the Consaul
Road Cemetery. Project would
consist of cleaning cemetery up and making it look better. Town Clerk asked if he had contacted the
Cemetery Association regarding this project?
Jeff stated that he was unable to find a contact point for this
cemetery. Town Clerk stated that she and
Historian, Phyllis Keeler were working on getting contact names for each of the
cemetery’s in Galway.
Highway Superintendent, Hansen stated that they have been responsible
for several of the public cemeteries in town that are no longer are in
operation. This consists of cutting the
brush once a year. Bill suggested that
Jeff give him a call, and they could go view the different cemeteries in town
together. Town Board authorized Jeff
Sullivan to do his Eagle Scout Project on any town maintained cemeteries. Phyllis Keeler stated that she would be available
to assist Jeff with any information on cemeteries in town. Councilwoman Sutch stated that this would be
a good article for newsletter. Phyllis
Keeler suggested a sign for cemetery.
Bill Hansen questioned if Phyllis had any funds available for sign if
they put something together? Phyllis
stated that she would see what she could do.
Donna DeRidder - lives on Perth
Road and has recently purchased video store on
Route 147. Donna questioned why the
Library is carrying new release? She
feels this is a conflict of interest for her business. Sara Pandori stated that books; audio tapes;
CD & videos are all available free of charge thru the Library system. Supervisor Hargrave suggested that Ms.
DeRidder address the Library Board with this concern. They meet the 1st Tuesday of each
month at the Library at 7:15 p.m.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Library – S. Pandori stated that summer reading
program has just concluded with 127 children participating. These children alone read over 2,400 books in
an 8 week period. There were over 280
people in attendance for this years summer programs. Circulation of material this year from
January to the end of July have surpassed
all of last years. This is
approximately an increase of 45% over last year’s circulation. Sara is working on grants to supplement children’s
programs for next year. They will hold a
small celebration this month for volunteers.
Chlorination system is working well.
An anonymous donor gave money for a small shed in back of library. This will be used for book donations &
storage. Assessor – Councilwoman
Sutch stated that the Assessor was at a seminar in Lake Placid. He
requested that she advise the board of a letter he received from a Real-estate
Marketing Agent looking for land in the town.
Tracy felt this shows the increasingly volatile
market for land in the town. He referred
to a resent sale where the assessment was considerably lower than the sale
price. Historian – Phyllis Keeler
stated that work continues on Galway local
history files. She and the Deputy
Historian work on these files every week.
They are compiling a complete listing of Historians files, to be
completed by January 1st.
There has been a number of people stopping by for local history
information. One item she has been
hearing is their appreciation for the Town Newsletter. Supervisor Hargrave stated that Councilman
Tillson has done a great job with newsletter.
Town & County – Supervisor Hargrave stated on a county level, the radio committee is still working on
emergency tower project. On a town
level, there is no report. Public
Safety – No Report. Property
– Councilwoman Sutch stated she is working on yearly inventory, should be
completed by next month’s meeting. Buildings
& Grounds – Councilman Topper went into a discussion regarding the
proposal from the Highway Superintendent for a new building. Highway Superintendent is proposing a 100’ x
60’ building. Councilman Topper would
like to see the building be 120’ x 60’.
He also has concerns with using fiberglass insulation, due to the
problems they are having with the current building. The alternative to fiberglass is ridged
insulation. Councilman Topper would like
to ultimately see new building becoming their primary building. If the town is going to look at this level of
funding he would like to make sure it will sustain town’s needs for some
time. Supervisor Hargrave stated that
estimate from Town Engineer indicate 100’ x 60’ with no electrical or
heating system will cost approximately $148,500. Supervisor Hargrave stated on current highway
building the (4) garage doors need new panels on the bottom and automatic
openers estimate on this is around $6,000.
Highway Superintendent stated that board needs to make decision on where
they go with both items. Public
Affairs – No Report. Highway –
Highway Superintendent Hansen stated that he had a complaint yesterday on
Spring Road concerning truck traffic.
The concern was that this is a narrow road and they felt the speed limit
is too high and trucks were breaking road up.
Bill Hansen stated that road was paved in 1999 or 2000 and there are a
few cracks in road, but they always get a few cracks. Councilman Topper questioned if there was any
violation of state traffic law? Bill
Hansen stated that there was no violation, this is a public road. He also received a complaint regarding the
speed limit on corner of Crane Road & Jockey Street. Councilman Topper stated that he travels this
area daily, and doesn’t see a need for reduction. Will probably receive a reduction of speed
request from resident in this area. C.W.
Hansen stated that highway department hopes to start paving next week.
LIAISON REPORTS: Planning Board – Councilman Tillson
stated that George & Dorothy Sherman received approval for their 2 lot
subdivision on Bliss Road. Patrick & Danielle Tucker were in to
subdivide an acre of land off of Joseph & Beulah Klementowski’s property on
Galway Road. This was classified as a 2 lot subdivision
and scheduled for public hearing.
Conceptual approval was given to Brian Wemple for a 4 lot subdivision on
Ridge Road & Crooked Street, and scheduled for public hearing. Randy Elliott & Kelly Delaney-Elliott
were in for a 2 lot subdivision on Armer & Ballston-Galway Road. The board had concerns regarding the creation
of a possible unbuildable lot due to wetland restrictions. Information was requested from DEC &
surveyor for application to go further.
There were some comments regarding the filing problem with Gutto
subdivision. Supervisor Hargrave stated
that this problem should be rectified soon, they are waiting for final
signatures regarding this matter. Youth – No Report. ZBA
– Councilman Quinlan stated that he attended the August meeting of the
ZBA. They had one application in the Lake
District that was approved.
Senior Citizens – Councilwoman
Sutch stated that she attended the meeting last week of the senior citizens
with 22 members in attendance. They have
trips planned into the winter. There is
a flu clinic scheduled for November 12th. There is a free concert with the Empire State
Youth Orchestra at Proctors on October 26th that the seniors plan on
attending. Town Clerk had concerns with
the way the flu clinic is scheduled prior to actual meeting time. She stated that the seniors have tried to get
this scheduled during meeting times and have been unsuccessful. The clerk felt the turn out for the flu
clinic would be greater if it was scheduled during their meeting time. Councilwoman Sutch stated that she would
contact the county regarding this.
Supervisor Hargrave stated that he had an agenda meeting tomorrow and would
be able to discuss this matter with someone there. Town Clerk also stated blood pressure &
cholesterol screening are also done at the 10:00
– 12:00 slot instead of during senior meeting.
MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION # 50-2003
– Budget Adjustments. On a motion of
Councilman Tillson, seconded by Councilman Topper the following resolution was
ADOPTED:
Ayes – 5 Nays – 0
RESOLVED that the Galway Town Board
approve the following budget adjustments:
Increase A1680.2 $1,300.00 Data Processing EQ
Increase A1680.4 $
250.00 Data
Processing CE
Increase A9050.8 $
300.00 Unemployment
Ins.
Decrease A7550.4 $1,850.00 Celebrations
(New server EQ, old server CE & under estimated unemployment insurance)
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman
Quinlan to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (A) dated 8/13/03 thru 9/5/03 for a total of $32,185.15.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilman Quinlan made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillson
to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (B) dated 8/13/03 thru 9/5/03 for a total of $1,260.72.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch
to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DA) dated 8/13/03 thru 9/5/03 for a total of $3,396.34.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilman Quinlan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch
to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DB) dated 8/13/03 thru 9/5/03 for a total of $16,162.44.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper
to approve the Lighting District Abstract of Vouchers (SL) dated 8/13/03 thru 9/5/03 for a total of $86.65.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper
to approve the Supervisor’s Operating Statement for the period ending 8/31/03.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Other Business:
RESOLUTION #
51-2003 – Authorization for engineer to write specification for new
highway building. On a motion of
Councilman Tillson, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch the following resolution was
ADOPTED: AYES – 5 NAYS – 0
RESOLVED that the Galway Town
Board authorize Councilman Topper to contact the Town Engineer and request
detailed plans, drawings and construction costs for a new highway building for
both a 60’ x 100’ building with both options of fiberglass insulation and ridged
insulation; and a 60’ x 120’ building with both options of fiberglass
insulation and ridged insulation.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Supervisor Hargrave has received a couple telephone requests
from residents asking that the Library budget be put on ballot yearly for
resident approval. Board went into
discussion regarding this request.
Supervisor Hargrave stated that exact wording for referendum would need to reach board of election no
later that 9/27/03 to be
put on ballot for this year’s election. Board
felt that referendum would be the way to go, however, with the time restraints
they did not feel it was a feasible request for this year. Board discussed getting information from
library board on their budget request early next year. Town board would then have sufficient time to
supply the board of elections with the budget request figures and wording to
allow for a referendum vote on library budget.
Councilman Tillson questioned if they should be considering a separate
tax district for Library? Board went
into discussion regarding this suggestion.
Board decided that they needed to sit down with Library board and
discuss these options with them.
Supervisor Hargrave stated that the board needed to schedule
budget workshops. Board set workshops
for October 2nd & 9th at 7:00 p.m.
Supervisor Hargrave asked the board for their feeling
regarding a full revaluation at this time?
The assessor has had a consulting firm in and has been discussing this
with them. He would like to send a
letter to the assessor advising him of board’s feelings regarding this
matter. Board members felt that they had
not been given any preliminary plan, cost estimate or projected benefit by
assessor to warrant a revaluation at this time.
All board members felt that there was no need at this time for a
revaluation. Board also discussed the
need for assessor to obtain a picture identification card. Board members instructed Supervisor to write
letter to assessor advising him that board is not interested in a revaluation
at this time. They also requested that
the Supervisor instruct the assessor to obtain a picture identification
card.
Councilman Topper would like board members to consider
having a thank you celebration for town employees. Supervisor Hargrave stated that he has
discussed supplying the food for celebration with the Dug Out.
Supervisor Hargrave stated that the Town attorney for Corinth
felt that Galway should have put bid out for lease of
zipper. Supervisor Hargrave advised that
the law basically states if there is one supplier, one manufacturer or one
distributor of equipment is makes no sense to put item out for bid. Supervisor Hargrave stated that all board
members were given a copy of the exact wording in the law regarding this
matter. The town of Galway
attorney reviewed all information before allowing town officials to sign lease agreement.
Town Clerk request that board consider strongly the proposal
from Code Publishing for document
imaging during their budget workshops.
Councilman Tillson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper
to adjourn the meeting at 8:48 p.m.
All ayes. MOTION
CARRIED
Respectfully submitted,
Margaret L.
DeFoe
Town Clerk