REGULAR MEETING

NOVEMBER 14, 2006

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 George Weed

 

OTHERS PRESENT:  T. Killeen, Assessor; J. Sivik, Deputy Town Clerk; A. Oakley; D. Costanzo, Highway Superintendent; P. Keeler & M. DeFoe, Town Clerk.  P. Keeler arrived late.

 

Pledge to the Flag

 

A motion was made by Councilman Topper, seconded by Councilwoman Sutch to approve the minutes of the October 10, 2006 meeting as submitted.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Communications – Town Clerk stated that Board Members received copies of the following correspondence:  Assessor’s Report dated November 14, 2006; Dog Control Officer’s Report for October 2006.  Highway Department Report for October:  Paved Kania Road; Town-wide patching; rebuilt & paved Bliss Road; Installed plow frames on trucks & winter preparation; Town- wide clean up of limbs.  Scheduled for November:  Rebuild School House Road; Town-wide continuation of patching; ditch Faber Road; start roadside brush cutting.  Building Department report covering 10/1/06 to 10/31/06.  Letter from 2007 Bicentennial Parade Committee for Village of Ballston Spa requesting Town’s participation in parade.  Memo from Planning Board Member Mary Lynn Kopper to Paul Lent, Chairman of Planning Board with recap of workshop she attended at Hudson Valley Community College.  Letter was received from Barbara Strife resigning from Planning Board effective January 1, 2007.  Barbara & her husband will be retiring and moving to Florida for a portion of year.  Correspondence was received from NYS Unified Court System advising that Honorable Donald E. Clemens had satisfactorily completed the 2006 Continuing Judicial Education Program.  Legal Notice placed in Daily Gazette on October 1, 2006 advising public that Town Clerk’s Office would be closed on 10/2/06 and open on October 5th & 12th at 12 noon due to Deputy’s vacation. Correspondence from NYS Office of Real Property Services advising that STAR Administrative Aid payment will be $1,488.18.  Letter was received from NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation advising that they had received a complete application from George W. Weed for:  1- Article 15 Title 5 Excavation & Fill in Navigable Waters 1- Section 401- Clean Water Act Water Quality Certification.  This information is available for review. 

 

Privilege of the Floor – None.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:  Library – Alissa stated that circulation for October was 2,123, with six new library cards issued.  Library will receive $10,000 in Member Item Funding from Senator Farley.  Friends of Library are planning a spring fundraiser for Library.  They will hold a “Soc Hop” on March 31st.  Library will have a program on November 18th at 2:00 p.m. “When the Lights Go on Again”.    The Library will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22 and reopen on Friday.  Adult craft for December will be held on the 8th at 6:30 p.m., “Cookie Mix in a Jar”.  Assessor – No Report.  Public Safety – Councilman Topper stated that Fire Company had requested that Town purchase generator for traffic light on Route 29 & Route 147.  Board discussed matter and felt Town should not get involved in this, as it could be a potential liability issue.  Property – No Report.  Buildings & Grounds – Councilman Topper stated that he has been in contact with Environmental Design Partnership and they will have specification for ball field project ready for January meeting.  Board discussed issues of concern regarding bid document.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that the Town of Milton had a generator for sale.  He suggested Councilman Topper contact them to see if this would work for our building needs.  Councilman Topper has also researched building costs for housing generator.  Public Affairs – Councilwoman Sutch stated that she attended the County Green Infrastructure meeting where they moved to adopt the Green Infrastructure Plan.  This plan will now be sent to Board of Supervisor’s for their vote next week.  Councilwoman Sutch went over amendments to that plan.  Highway – Superintendent Costanzo stated that footers have been pored for bridge they will be set on Thursday.  He hopes bridge will be opened within a week.  Historian – Phyllis Keeler thanked everyone for the work on her new office.  Phyllis attended the Saratoga County Region 5 fall conference.  She is working with Galway students on local history projects.  Phyllis is also working with a local Scout on his Eagle Scout Project.  County & Town – Supervisor Hargrave stated on a county level, they are working on their $220,000,000 budget.  County will be reducing property taxes again for 2007.  Board of Supervisor is making recommendation to reinstate the tax on gasoline.  The sales tax money received from this would then be given to property owners in county to reduce their property tax further.  On a Town level, the Board has just completed working on their budget.  Tax rate will most likely go down slightly.  APA approved the application for tower project with stipulations. 

 

LIAISON REPORTS:  Planning Board – Councilman Tillson stated that Cathal Carr will need to obtain her driveway permit from county before final approval can be granted on her 2-lot subdivision on Galway Road.  Joan Olsen received a 3-lot subdivision classification and schedule for public hearing on property located on Graves Road.  John & Colleen Dropper/Kurt Rohling received 2-lot subdivision classification & lot line adjustment for property located on Crane Road & McConchie Road.  Peter Harrison was in for a pre-submission conference for a proposed artist studio on Jockey Street.  Peter Guidarelli was in for a subdivision on Nassel Drive in Harts Point of Lake District.  Attorney’s debated ability to subdivided this lot, due to 1993 ruling.  In the end it was determined that Planning Board could move forward and would not be bound by previous motion as long as lots are zoning compliant and no other issues regarding health & safety exist.  Chad Jazwinski was in for a pre-submission conference to discuss his proposed purchase of a 3 acre parcel from Waterwheel Village, Inc.  This property has three separate parcels on one deed, with this lot being a land locked parcel.  Chad would like to create access to this parcel by an easement over his father’s property.  No formal application has been filed.  ZBA – Councilman Weed stated that there were two meetings held by ZBA  since the last Town Board meeting.  Joseph & Beatrice Gorecki received approval for a variance to construct a 10’ x 20’ addition to existing house on Lake Road.  Willard & Claire Kohler received approval for a variance to construct an addition to residence in Ruback’s Grove.  Gary Townsend received approval for a variance to construct a 10’ x 16’ shed on Hermance Road.  James & Pamela Lombard received approval for a variance which would be a relocation/reconstruction of residence in Lake District.  Councilman Weed stated on Kohler variance issue of concern by Zoning Board was that Building Administrator authorized the use of piers for building.  Zoning Board was under the impression that piers were not authorized in building regulations.  This issue will need clarification.  Senior Citizens – Councilwoman Sutch stated that senior’s will have a meeting this Thursday.  Trip planned for November 24th to North Country Festival of Trees, with lunch at Queensbury Hotel.  Youth – Councilman Topper stated Youth Commission meetings will be held on Wednesday’s starting in December.  Donna Sowle has submitted her grant request to Senator Farley & Assemblyman Tedisco for next summers programming of Summer Recreation Program.  Summer Drama program is working on selection of a play.  Rifle Team has 5 new students and 13 returning students.  Karate has between 30-35 participants.  There were 4 out of 5 tested and promoted in classes.  Basketball started on Saturday.  Fall soccer season ended with 182 children participating.  Baseball still has no representation at meetings and no contract submitted.  Youth Commission needs two more people to help out with swim program, cross country skiing, and concerts in park.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that Planning Board will have two vacancies as of January.  Supervisor Hargrave will see if he can get something put in newspaper regarding vacancies in different positions. 

 

MOTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS

 

Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman Weed to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (A) dated 10/11/06 thru 11/9/06 for a total of $15,677.84.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilwoman Sutch question why on several of the vouchers the Town is paying two months worth of billing and sometimes late fees?  Supervisor Hargrave will question Account Clerk tomorrow regarding this matter.

 

Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillson to approve the General Abstract of Vouchers (B) dated 10/11/06 thru 11/8/06 for a total of $3,463.83.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

 Councilman Tillson made a motion, seconded by Councilman Weed to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DA) dated 10/11/06 thru 11/8/06 for a total of $9,676.43.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillson to approve the Highway Abstract of Vouchers (DB) dated 10/11/06 thru 11/8/06 for a total of $148,710.18.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman Tillson to approve the Special District Abstract of Vouchers (SL) dated 10/11/06 thru 11/8/06 for a total of $149.71.
     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilwoman Sutch made a motion, seconded by Councilman Topper to approve the Supervisor’s Operating Statement for the period ending 10/31/06.
     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

RESOLUTION # 60-2006 – 2007 Town of Galway Budget.  On a motion of Councilman Tillson, seconded by Councilman Topper the following resolution was ADOPTED BY ROLL CALL VOTE:

Supervisor George Hargrave – AYE                 Councilman Michael Tillson – AYE

Councilman William Topper – AYE                  Councilwoman Susan Sutch – AYE

Councilman George Weed – AYE
     RESOLVED that the Galway Town Board adopt the 2007 Budget as submitted.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 


RESOLUTION # 61-2006 – Authorization for Supervisor to sign the 2007 contract with Galway Volunteer Fire Co.  Councilwoman Sutch requested under # 11 (district) be changed to read Galway Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.  On a motion of Councilman Topper, seconded by Councilman Tillson the following resolution was ADOPTED:  AYES – 5  NAYS – 0
     RESOLVED that the Galway Town Board authorize the Supervisor to sign the 2007 contract with the Galway Volunteer Fire Company with the following change to contract:  Under # 11 the wording “district” be changed to read “Galway Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.”.
     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Supervisor Hargrave stated that he has made arrangement for telephone line to be installed for Historian’s office.  Fax machine & copier will be needed.  Supervisor stated that Highway Department would like new copier, Historian could take their copier and new copier be purchased for Highway Department.

 

RESOLUTION # 62-2006  - Set dates for Public Hearing on Zoning Revisions.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that Consultant was only available the 4th or 8th of December if meeting was scheduled before January.  Board went into discussion regarding possible dates for hearing.  Town Clerk stated that material had to be ready to give out on proposed changes as soon as legal notice was placed in newspaper.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that he had not received updated map from Consultant.  He would need to have changes printed and disc’s created.  Supervisor stated that deadline for newsletter was end of December, he could put article in regarding public hearing dates if we waited until January for hearing.  Supervisor will also check with Consultant for available dates in January.  On a motion of Councilwoman Sutch, seconded by Councilman Topper the following resolution was ADOPTED:  AYES – 5     NAYS – 0
     RESOLVED that the Galway Town Board table the setting of public hearing date for revisions to Zoning Regulation until the December meeting.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Councilwoman Sutch suggested when date is determined for public hearing, that we asking Fire Department to put notice of date on their sign board.  Councilman Weed suggested looking into similar sign board for Town Hall entrance.  Supervisor Hargrave stated that Brian Hendries appointment to ZBA will expire 12/31/06.  Board decided to wait until December to address this.

 

Other Business – None.

 

Councilman Topper made a motion, seconded by Councilman Weed to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 p.m.

     All ayes.                                                                  MOTION CARRIED

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Margaret L. DeFoe

Town Clerk