REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 8, 2004
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

OTHER PRESENT:  T. O’Brien, Dog Control Officer; T. Killeen, Assessor; K. Parker, Gazette Reporter; C.W. Hansen, Highway Superintendent & M. DeFoe, Town Clerk.

Pledge to the Flag

A motion was made by Councilman Quinlan, seconded by Councilman Topper to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2004 meeting as submitted.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

Communications – Town Clerk stated that letter was received from Sandra Foster & Joseph Guerrera advising that they were renewing their liquor license with the state.  All board members received a copy of the Dog Control Officers Report for May 2004.  Board members also received copies of the Saratoga County Planning Board minutes for April 2004.  Supervisor Hargrave received copies of the minutes & treasurer’s report for the Greater Galway Community Service Association covering March – June 2004.  These minutes & reports are available for review.    

Privilege of the Floor – None.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Library – No Report.  Assessor – T. Killeen stated that Grievance Day was held on May 25, 2004.  The Board of Assessment Review heard two complaints.  They adjusted both assessments.  County & Town – Supervisor Hargrave stated on a town level board is getting close to time when they will begin working on budget for 2005.  Supervisor Hargrave will be attending the hearings with the APA regarding the radio towers on June 10th & 11th.  Councilwoman Sutch has volunteered to be appointed to the Aging Advisory Board.  Councilman Tillson questioned with reference to an article he read in newspaper, if the APA is recommending the use of satellite telephones for communication in the northern end of county?  Supervisor Hargrave stated that satellite communication was an option recommended by APA.  Board discussed complications with this type of communication.  Public Safety – Councilman Topper stated on the 21st of May, a FEDEX Truck hit communications line and went over on its side.  Board discussed concerns regarding this matter with Highway Superintendent.  Letter needs to be sent to Niagara Mohawk regarding the need to correct height on lines associated with their poles.  Property – No Report.  Building & Grounds – Councilman Topper advised that the youth commission stated that the playing fields are holding up well.  Highway Superintendent Hansen stated that he felt they lost about $300.00 worth of seed & fertilizer on fields due to heavy rain.  Will redo in fall.  Hume Donnan will mow back field again this year.  Public Affairs – No Report.  Historian – No Report.  Highway – Highway Superintendent Hansen stated that according to the capital plan, highway department was due to purchase a new dump truck in 2005.  He has located an already built Volvo which can be purchased on state contract.  Superintendent Hansen has not been able to locate anything else that has come in within $8,000 - $10,000 of this price.  He would like to see a purchase order in on this truck, with payment due in January of 2005.  FEMA was in yesterday to do a preliminary review of road damage due to heavy rain fall from two weeks ago.  They are at a preliminary estimate stage with reference to this damage.  Town Engineer’s office has indicated that new highway garage building bid packages should be ready around the 15th of June.  Councilman Topper would like the Town Board to be able to review specs before they go out to public.  Resolution will be needed to authorize the Highway Superintendent to put new highway garage specs out for bid once they are received from engineer.  Highway Superintendent would like to address some driveway construction concerns when zoning regulations are updated.  Bill Hansen will forward this request to zoning review committee.  Highway Superintendent Hansen stated that he has a problem with someone building a retaining wall on Lake Road on town right-of-way.  He has discussed this with the town Attorney, and will advise board of outcome.  Mowing tractor went out for the first time today.  If the grass is high & heavy the mower is not getting everything on this first cut.  Second mowing will take care of this.  The alternative to this mower was a rotary cutter.  Highway Superintendent Hansen felt rotary cutter would have been a liability and opted for this mower instead.  Bill Hansen stated that highway department was slated to do about three miles of road seal this year.  Due to the liability factor with loose stone, Bill Hansen would rather not do seals.  Bill will get some figures on alternative treatment for seal for next meeting.  Councilwoman Sutch will discuss this liability concern with insurance agent.  Board went into discussion with Highway Superintendent regarding possible options.  Supervisor advised that parking lot needed to be sealed and repainted this year.  Tractor is working well. 

 LIAISON REPORTS:  Planning Board – Councilman Tillson stated that the Planning Board had two public hearings in May.  Ann Johnston received approval for a 2-lot subdivision on Bliss Road.  Planning Board authorized zoning administrator to issue a special use permit to Christopher Sowle for conversion of one bay of the existing C& G Car Wash located on Route 29 & Fishhouse Road to a NYS motor vehicle inspection/repair shop.  Arthur Spector received a 3-lot subdivision classification in April and the SEQR portion of application was deferred until a formal survey map was available with wetlands designated.  SEQR was reviewed and negative declaration granted, scheduled for public hearing in June.  Melodye Eldeen also received a 2-lot classification in April and was deferred to May for completion of SEQR once survey/subdivision map were prepared.  SEQR was reviewed and negative declaration granted, scheduled for public hearing in June.  Christopher Reedy & Theodore Turek were in for a preliminary review and classification for subdivision of an approximate 1-acre lot from a 93-acre parcel located on Mack Road.  Classification & negative declaration were granted.  Setback requirements and checklist were given to applicant to take care of for further review and approval.  Youth – Councilman Topper stated that the Culture Group is looking for a Jazz Band for the festival in the park.  Family Fun Day is only a few weeks away.  Discussed using tables from Galway Fire Department for Family Fun Day.  Canopy is housed in shed, key is in highway garage.  Encouraging community groups to put on displays.  Extended invitation to Supervisor & Board to attend this community event.  Summer Recreation will begin July 7th.  Karate had 6 students tested for advancement with 5 being advanced.  Swim sign-up’s are underway.  Soccer had successful referee training course held here at Town Hall.  State may push for certified coaches, if this happens it will probably be very hard to get coaches since they are all volunteers.  Spring soccer had a hard time getting coaches.  There is about $300.00 worth of equipment missing from shed.  Supervisor Hargrave suggested Youth Commission send letters to coaches advising that equipment is missing.  Girls volleyball currently has 15 girls playing age 13-16.  They plan on playing November thru July on Tuesday’s & Thursday’s.  Intent is to build skill & offer opportunity to play.  This team is 8th grade thru 11th grade, they will probably add 12th grade girls in future.  Youth track for 6th grade didn’t pan out this year.  They had a meet scheduled with another school, but the school had to back out due to conflict.  Will try and develop this further next year.  School will be looking for general certificate of insurance, which lists all youth commission activities.  Once list is provided from Youth Commission on groups that would be included on certificate, Town Clerk will forward to insurance agent to have certificate completed.  ZBA – Councilman Quinlan stated that applicant came in last August and was issued a variance for repairs on camp.  Since that time applicant decided to take camp down and reconfigured where new building would be located.  It was determined that no variance was currently required due to reconfiguration of building, board waived previously approved variance.  Zoning Board has two applications before them for tomorrow night’s meeting.  Senior Citizens – Councilwoman Sutch stated that she attended the June 6th meeting of the Senior Citizens.  Their annual picnic will be held on the 17th at 12 o’clock.  That same day at 3:00 there will be a dinner for the volunteers that help with meals on wheels.  July 15th Monroe Fun Band will perform here at Town Hall for the Seniors.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that the Town Hall will be closed on July 15th to allow them to have this band.  In August they will have an antique appraiser in to look at smaller items.  Trips continue to be well attended. 

Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillson to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (A) dated 5/13/04 thru 6/3/04 for a total of $15,799.17.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Quinlan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (B) dated 5/13/04 thru 6/3/04 for a total of $3,278.88.
   All ayes.                                                                   MOTION CARRIED

Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DA) dated 5/13/04 thru 6/3/04 for a total of $21,778.72.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Tillson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Quinlan to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DB) dated 5/13/04 thru 6/3/04 for a total of $6,615.30.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman Quinlan to approve the Lighting District Abstract of Vouchers (SL) dated 5/13/04 thru 6/3/04 for a total of $84.82.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

Councilman Quinlan made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch to approve the Supervisor’s Operating Statement for the period ending 5/31/04.
     All ayes.                                                                 MOTION CARRIED

MOTIONS & RESOLUTIONS

RESOLUTION # 30-2004 – Budget adjustments.  On a motion of Councilman Topper, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch the following resolution was ADOPTED:  AYES – 5 NAYS – 0   
            RESOLVED that the Galway Town Board authorize the following budget adjustments:
     Increase      A1620.1          Buildings                                 $3,000.00
     Decrease    A1620.407      Buildings Maintenance            $3,000.00
     Increase      A1680.4          Data Processing CE                $2,000.00
     Decrease    A1320.4          Independent Auditing              $2,000.00
     All ayes                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

Other Business

RESOLUTION # 31-2004 – Authorization for Highway Superintendent to order new plow truck payment due in January 2005.  Councilwoman Sutch would like to see the truck painted orange to go along with other town vehicles for public identification.  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 authorize the Highway Superintendent to place an order from Albany Volvo Truck Sales & Arrowhead Equipment at the state contract price for a 2004 Volvo VHD64F Cab & Chassis $80,250.00; all Body & Plow Equipment $48,308.00; painting of Cab & Door Jams Orange $1,600.00 for a total of $130,158.00, payment due in January of 2005 charged to Account # DB5130.2 Machinery/Equipment.     
            All ayes.                                                                      MOTION CARRIED

Board discussed legal notice for bid authorization on highway garage.  Highway Superintendent stated that bid packages are not ready from Town Engineer.  He expects they should be received from Engineer around the 15th of July.  Board would like to review specs before they are put out for bid.  Board decided that once bid specs are received and board has adequate time to review them they would hold a special meeting to authorize the Highway Superintendent to place legal notice for bids on highway garage.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that both the Town Clerk & Supervisor would be on vacation for the July 13th meeting.  Supervisor gave board option of changing July meeting.  Board felt they would leave meeting date as is, and they would take care of meeting without Supervisor & Town Clerk.

Councilman Quinlan stated that the Zoning Review Committee is still working on project.            

Councilman Tillson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m.
            All ayes                                                                       MOTION CARRIED

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret L. DeFoe
Town
Clerk