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2006-07-31 SP MTG29 440 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG. #29 JULY 31, 2006 RES. 358-365 7:00 p.m. TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT SUPERVISOR DANIEL STEC COUNCILMAN ROGER BOOR COUNCILMAN RICHARD SANFORD COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER-Absent TOWN OFFICIALS PRESENT BUDGET OFFICER JENNIFER SWITZER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MARILYN RYBA SUPERINTENDENT OF PINE VIEW CEMERY MIKE GENIER SR. PLANNER STU BAKER RECENTLY RETIRED KATHLEEN KATHY EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO SUPERVISOR LESSA STILLER Supervisor Stec-Opened the meeting . Noted that Councilman Brewer will not be attending tonight’s meeting due to back problems. RESOLUTIONS 1.1 RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT OF BILLS – ST WARRANT OF JULY 31, 2006 RESOLUTION NO.: 358, 2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to approve the audit of bills th presented as the Warrant with a run date of July 27, 2006 and a payment due date of st August 1, 2006, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the Warrant with a thst run date of July 27, 2006 and payment due date of August 1, 2006 and totaling $546,861.46, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Budget Officer and/or Town Supervisor to take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. 441 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 st Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006, by the following vote: AYES : Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec NOES : None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer Discussion held before vote: Councilman Sanford-Would like to have a meeting between the Town Board and the Ethics Committee, to get clarification on what may or may not constitute a conflict of interest. Noted that Mr. Brewer works for Adirondack Auto Supply and they are on every audit, he claims he checked with Comptroller Henry Hess and he said it was not a problem. Supervisor Stec-He checked with the State Comptrollers Office and they said it was not a problem. Councilman Sanford-The concern that I have is when Henry was here he was the Comptroller and as a Comptroller I understand he approves these warrants. Now we are approving them as a Town Board so it is not quite the same. Supervisor Stec-Councilman Boor and I talked about this in a low key manner as Roger put it awhile ago. Councilman Sanford-I went to make sure of this and a number of other issues, since the Ethics Committee has been brought into it I would like to run some of this by in a discussion format, I want to have the Committee meet with the Town Board so we can have an open discussion on a number of items to make sure that everybody is comfortable with the way we are proceeding and that there aren’t an conflict of interests that we are unaware of and I would like to hear from them, because some of their action quite frankly seem to be less than consistent. Supervisor Stec-I have asked the Attorney to look into this we are not looking to make a big deal out of it but my buddy is making a big deal out of it when the guy you are talking about isn’t present. Councilman Sanford-I would like to sit down and discuss this and a number of other issues related to this kind of thing with the Ethics Committee to see what feed back they may be able to provide the Town in the interest in being consistent across the Board. Supervisor Stec-If you want to talk to the Ethics Board or we want to have the Attorney look into it or what ever we want to do. In my opinion this is tit for tat with Tim and John’s issue in my opinion. Councilman Sanford-This actually transcends beyond Tim working or Adirondack or Napa and John’s issue, there are a number of issues here and I would like to discuss it with the Ethics Committee. I did not think it was a outrageous request. Supervisor Stec-I question the motivation it is polished Richard and I question your sincerity and motivation, but if you want to meet with them that is fine I have no problem with that. Councilman Sanford-I do not know what is polished about this it is what it is. Another example is I want to understand what is appropriate what is not appropriate in terms of a Board Member approving invoices that come from vendors that give contributions to political elected offices, right on the table nothing hidden about it Dan. The best way to do it is to have a frank discussion at a Town Board Workshop to do this. Councilman Boor-This is a professional approach that we should have an understanding so that we do not have to do this on air in front of the cameras when none of us have the answer. My request is of the Attorneys I haven’t sought to speak with the Ethics Board. Board agreed to have a meeting to be set up in September. Councilman Strough-Questioned if Cornerstone, Cobblestone is that the new company? Budget Officer Switzer-That is the new company. Councilman Strough-Our insurance Empire Blue Cross, is that a simi annual or annual? Budget Officer Switzer-That is the monthly payment. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROMOTION OF CHRISTOPHER SENNETT FROM LABORER TO CREMATORY OPERATOR AT PINE VIEW CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM RESOLUTION NO.: 359, 2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION 442 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury Cemetery Commission and Cemetery Superintendent have recommended that the Town Board authorize the promotion of Christopher Sennett from Laborer to Crematory Operator at the Pine View Cemetery and Crematorium, and WHEREAS, the Cemetery Superintendent has advised that Mr. Sennett has met the qualifications for the position and has the required job experience, and WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to authorize the requested promotion, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the promotion of Christopher Sennett from Laborer to Crematory Operator at the Pine View st Cemetery and Crematorium effective August 1, 2006 at the rate of pay specified in the Town’s CSEA Union Agreement for the position for the year 2006, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Town’s Agreement with CSEA, such promotion shall be subject to a 90 day trial (probationary) period, and BE IT FURTHER, RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Cemetery Superintendent and/or Town Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. st Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006 by the following vote: AYES : Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor NOES : None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer Discussion held before vote: Superintendent Mike Genier-Chris has been filling in over there he has done an excellent job he has a good repport with the Funeral Directors, I felt and the Cemetery Commission felt he was the best candidate for the job. Vote taken. 443 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 RESOLUTION APPROVING HOUSING REHABILITATION LOAN IN CONNECTION WITH THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL HOME PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO. 360.2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec , the Town of Queensbury has established a Housing WHEREAS Rehabilitation Loan Program which provides a deferred loan to very low income eligible property owners for the owners cost of rehabilitation, and , a single family property, Case File # has been determined WHEREAS5172 to be eligible for a loan through the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program and the owner of the property has requested such a loan, and , property rehabilitation specifications have been provided to WHEREAS three (3) qualified contractors for bid, and , the low bid cost to complete the work specified is WHEREASTwenty two , and thousand three hundred forty four dollars and no cents ($22,344.00) , the property has been approved for a grant for WHEREASTwenty through the Housing Rehabilitation thousand dollars and no cents ($20,000.00) Program, and , Shelter Planning & Development, Inc. has overseen the grant WHEREAS process and has verified that it has been followed in this case and recommends approving this deferred loan, and , the property owner will enter into a Loan Agreement with the WHEREAS Town of Queensbury which will be filed with the Warren County Clerk’s Office with the principal balance of the loan due in full upon the transfer of title of the property, the Town of Queensbury approves a NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVEDthat rehabilitation loan for Case File #, in an amount not to exceed 5172 Two authorizes and thousand three hundred forty four dollars and no cents ($2,344.00) directs either the Town Supervisor or Town of Queensbury Executive Director of Community Development to execute a Grant Award Agreement and take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006, by the following vote: st AYES : Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford NOES : None Mr. Brewer ABSENT : Discussion held before vote: Councilman Sanford-Where is this located? Sr. Planner Stu Baker-This is West Glens Falls but outside of our target area., we have permission from the Dept. of Housing and Community Development to address this property, we have a letter on file for this property. 444 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 RESOLUTION APPROVING REVISION TO GRANT AWARD IN CONNECTION WITH THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY HOUSING REHABILITATION PROGRAM IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY RENEWAL HOME PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO.: 361, 2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Richard Sanford , the Town of Queensbury has established a Housing WHEREAS Rehabilitation Program which provides grants up to 100% of the cost of rehabilitation, up to a maximum of $20,000 per unit whichever is less, and , a single family property Case File # has been determined WHEREAS5172 to be eligible for rehabilitation grant assistance and the owner of the property has requested such assistance, and , the Town of Queensbury has approved a rehabilitation grant in WHEREAS the amount of Seventeen thousand nine hundred dollars and no cents , and ($17,900.00) , property rehabilitation specifications have been revised to WHEREAS include additional work, and , the revised cost to complete the work specified is: WHEREASTwenty two and is still the thousand three hundred forty four dollars and no cents ($22,344.00) lowest acceptable cost, and , the owner is eligible to receive up to $5,000.00 in a deferred WHEREAS loan through the Town Housing Rehabilitation Program with a separate loan resolution attached, and , that the Town of Queensbury approves a grant THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED for Case File #, Queensbury, New York, in the amount not to exceed: 5172Twenty and authorizes and directs either the thousand dollars and no cents ($20,000.00) Town Supervisor or Town of Queensbury Executive Director of Community Development to execute a Grant Award Agreement and take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006, by the following vote: st AYES : Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough NOES : None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR FUNDS AND REQUESTING GRANT FUNDING FROM THE NEW YORK STATE CANAL COPORATION TO IMPLEMENT THE ERIE CANAL GREENWAY PROGRAM RESOLUTION NO.: 362, 2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec 445 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 WHEREAS, the New York State Canal Corporation is soliciting projects to implement Governor George E. Pataki’s vision for an Erie Canal Greenway, first proposed by the Governor in May 2005, and WHEREAS,the December 2005 report released by the New York State Canal Corporation Interagency Task Force, entitled “Report on the Future of New York State Canals”, recommended a voluntary, collaborative strategy for providing assistance to communities along all four canals of the New York State Canal System through a canal- wide “greenway” program, and WHEREAS,funding for a grant program to implement the vision of the Governor and the recommendations of the Task Force was approved in the 2006-2007 New York State Budget, and $6 million is available under four grant categories, and WHEREAS, the Town is eligible to apply for reimbursement funds not to exceed one- half (1/2) of eligible project costs from the New York State Canal Corporation relating to recreation improvements at the Hudson River Overlook Park, and WHEREAS, the Recreation and Community Development departments have requested Town Board authorization to have a fund application prepared in an amount not to exceed fifty percent (50%) of the total Hudson River Overlook Park project costs being equal to or less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000). NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: The Town of Queensbury supports the creation of a voluntary Erie Canal Greenway, as proposed by the Governor and recommended in the Report by the Interagency Task Force, based upon six (6) principles, including: (1) waterfront public access; (2) tourism; (3) recreational development; (4) natural and cultural resource protection; (5) local and regional planning; and (6) economic revitalization, and The Town of Queensbury hereby certifies the availability of the required matching funds in cash and in-kind services equal to or exceeding 50% of the project costs, and will appropriate the necessary funds for this project if the grant is awarded by the New York State Canal Corporation. The Queensbury Town Board hereby supports and authorizes preparation of the application for 2006 Erie Canal Greenway Grant Program funds from the New York State Canal Corporation and further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute the funding application and take any other action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution. day st Duly adopted this 31 of July, 2006, by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer Discussion held before vote: Supervisor Stec-The County Planning Dept. has agreed to prepare the grant application on behalf of the Town and the Feeder Canal Alliance now has its own list of items they wish to do, this is a grant that requires a fifty percent local th match and maximum of $250,000. The application deadline is August 18. Councilman Boor-Would this be a CIP if we get it? Supervisor Stec-It could be yes. Anything the Feeder Canal Alliance wants to do they would have to do themselves. The City has been made aware of this as well, and they are going to look at it but they basically indicated that the time line might not be long enough for them to turn around and get back to us but there will be another round available later should they chose to want to pursue something but won’t be able to proceed in time here. The Mayor appreciates our thinking of them. 446 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 DISCUSSION HUDSON VALLEY FIRE CONVENTION FUNDING - Representatives of the Hudson Valley Fire ConventionSpoke on the success of the recent parade. Presented the Board with the original budget, over all we raised forty seven thousand dollars, our budget was seventy four thousand we came in at eighty three thousand we are looking at a total deficit of five thousand seven hundred and twenty six dollars and fifty one cents. Requesting additional bed tax money to help us with this. Councilman Sanford-The town needs to put together a process where we have a good idea as to the estimate of what the town is going to be receiving in bed tax dollars at the Town level, I do not know if that is going to change if and when this Authority thing becomes a reality, if it does. Supervisor Stec-If there is an Authority that only affects the three of the four percent that the County keeps it does not affect our one percent, as far as our one percent goes we budget for it and we only have two years worth of experience, we have budgeted conservatively. Councilman Boor-That is assuming an Authority can stay even solvent, if they takes on loans and the County portion doesn’t pay those loans you can bet they are going to come after the Town’s portion. Councilman Sanford –We need to put a disciplined approach I think into this at a Town level. Before we put this into a resolution I would like for us to identify what we think is important for the Town that fits within the criteria established and the intent of the bed tax legislation, that we ear mark and come up with a plan we have a handle on what we are expected to get and where it is best spent. We do this as a thought out process ahead of time. Supervisor Stec-That is in the approved budget. Councilman Sanford-I would like to understand vis- a- vis this request, why this make sense as opposed to using the monies elsewhere, the answer is we do not have any discipline to the process. Supervisor Stec-It is the five of us and whatever we think is reasonable. Councilman Sanford-That is not well thought out approach to making decision making in terms of allocating the bed tax money that is whatever the five of us think when ever someone first gets to the table and presents a request to us. Supervisor Stec-You are mischaracterizing it, ninety percent of our revenues are budgeted for at the budget time the extra ten percent that we did not budget for we have it and there is a time limit, this is use it or lose it money so it can’t sit there forever and you can’t use it anywhere else, that means you are faced with situations where you have got a little extra money. Councilman Boor-What was the bed tax revenue last year? Supervisor Stec-It was in the fifty five thousand dollar range. Councilman Boor-I do not have a problem with this but I agree that moving forward we need to have some…Supervisor Stec-I am fine with it, I refute that this process is broken as Richard characterizes it. Councilman Sanford- There is no process. Representative of Hudson Valley Fire Convention-You are taking your budget process out on me, I came here three weeks before the event saying we have an issue, I could have thrown a ten thousand dollar figure at you and said here is what I would like to have and go through the process there, I come after the fact with an exact number so I guess what your issue on your side I understand I am here asking if you can help us elevate the problem at hand. Councilman Strough-That is why you are here to ask for the Five thousand seven hundred and twenty six dollars and fifty one cents. Representative of Hudson Valley Fire Convention-yes. Councilman Strough-What was the attendance of this event? Representative of Hudson Valley Fire Convention-We do not do an exact count on our end, we had five hundred companies here, in our parade we had over two hundred companies, bands and ems. Councilman Strough-Do you take an attendance fee or application process? Representative of Hudson Valley Fire Convention-We do not. They do that with the State Chief’s in Lake George. Councilman Strough-I see your expenses, which one caused the problem? Representative of Hudson Valley Fire Convention-Noted a business made a lot of promises under a previous administration and the new administration could not come thorough. Noted that they learned a lot in doing this event. Councilman Sanford-I would like to know how much we have in this account. Budget Officer Switzer-We have received thirty six thousand dollars, for a balance now we are down to twenty two thousand dollars of unallocated occupancy tax funds to spend that is until the end of the year. Councilman Sanford-In accrual accounting for the calendar year of 2006 what would be our bookings for total revenue? Budget Officer Switzer-About eighty one thousand dollars. Councilman Boor-Questioned if six thousand was set aside for the Historical Society to bring the building up to disabilities act specifications. Budget 447 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 Officer Switzer-That was not planned to come out of occupancy tax. Supervisor Stec-All this funding is going to go toward appropriate uses that, are the criteria is the law. Councilman Sanford-I do not know the cost estimates for the surveyor for the Rush Pond Bike Trail, that could a seven to ten thousand dollar expense, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to use bed tax revenues instead of general fund money to pay for that. Councilman Strough-I think we can find the funding for that one way or the other. Unknown-Bed tax was design to bring people from outside of our community in, it was design for that that little guy could walk in and say hey, I got a bunch of motorcyclist coming to Lake George and I want to see if you can help me out with that, because they are staying in room, eating in restaurants. The requests to me should be made on the legitimacy of the program that they are doing. Councilman Sanford-How do you prioritize? Unknown- Only on the issues that comes in front of you, it is case by case. Supervisor Stec-Asked if there were any further questions in regard to the request for five thousand seven hundred and twenty six dollars and fifty one cents, if not we will move toward the necessary resolution. Thanked the group for letting the Town know as soon as you realized that there were problems. Councilman Sanford-Requested a workshop of usage of the bed tax money…looking for us to look into the future and do what I would call intermediate term planning in terms of what we have for expected levels of inflows and what we think should be utilized for them. I find the whole process flawed that only if you are aware of this would you be astute enough to come in and ask for assistance, that to me is the not right to way to approach something like this. It should be an open process, and we have a system of prioritizing and we establish criteria so we allocate out on a pro rata basis to what we deem to be important events that we wish to support. Supervisor Stec-This thirty thousand was allocated, fifteen thousand a year over two years, that is how it was set aside, we have not done the thirty thousand we have had two outside of the budget, we have had two requests for bed tax money, this overage for something that we had already previously approved and the only other one that has come up in the first seven months of this year was the Dome, everything else was in the budget. If you are saying that there is no intermediate planning there is, it is the budget that was adopted last November, there will be another budget this November, we will take our cash flows we will say this is how much money we anticipate having and this is how much money we anticipate handing out. We are not budgeting to start squirreling money away into the banks accounts, this money has got a shelf life. Councilman Sanford-We do not know what we are doing with the twenty two thousand dollar residual by definition. Budget Officer Switzer-Part of it has to do with we do not know until the County does their accounting how much we are getting so by the time our budget season is over we are guestimating again we are budgeting again. We do not know until we are notified from Warren County you get X amount of dollars. SENIOR CENTER COORDINATOR Supervisor Stec-Does anyone have any open session remarks? The panel was Kathleen Kathy, Leesa Stiller and John Dwyer, they interviewed several candidates and they have made a recommendation to us. No remarks were made. RESOLUTION CALLING FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION NO. 363.2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby moves into an Executive Session to conduct personnel interview. st Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec NOES: None 448 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 ABSENT: Mr. Brewer NO ACTION TAKEN RESOLUTION ADJOURNING EXECUTIVE SESSION RESOLUTION NO. 364.2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby moves out of its Executive Session. st Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer DEEP HOLE TEST – EVERT VOORHIS Supervisor Stec-There was question as to whether or not a new septic or a deep hole test was required. Director of Building and Codes Dave Hatin-It is required, Evert is going to be putting in a new leach field and therefore we need the information to determine what size field he needs. Councilman Sanford-I understood that he was merely going to be connecting to his existing system. Director Hatin-We do not know what his existing system is so we do not know if it meets the three bedroom criteria. We have no documented plans on file for any repairs or replacements. Mr. Voorhis-System placed in the early 90’s. Councilman Strough-In lieu of not knowing he has got to put a new system in. Director Hatin-There are two ways to go, one is to put in a new system with a deep hole test perk test based on a brand new system,; second to do a deep hole test, perk test excavate what he has and see if it comes close to a new system or can he upgrade it. We need the deep hole test to find out what the percolated soil is and what the soil conditions are. We know that he has a shallow ledge on his lot, ground water issue in those areas and history shows us that almost any system that we put in, in that area has been a raised system. Councilman Sanford-How much bigger of a home is being planned than what is currently there, would this be necessary if it is the same size house? Director Hatin-It is based on the number of bedrooms, garbage grinders and whirlpool spas. Councilman Boor-Is this a bigger house is the question. Director Hatin-From what I understand, yes it is a bigger house. Mr. Voorhis-I have three bedrooms in this house. Councilman Boor-In the new house? Mr. Voorhis-Yes. Councilman Boor-What do you have in the old house? Mr. Voorhis-I had three but I am down to two. The septic system was built for three in the log cabin. Councilman Strough-Do you have a grinder? Mr. Voorhis-No. No whirl pool, no grinder. Councilman Strough-It sounds like the same place. Director Hatin-The problem is that you have two issues that require a new system, one is DOH regs. 75A …we have to expose everything that he has got there and find out what it is and do deep hole perk tests and see if it matches or we have got to put a new system in. Mr. Voorhis-If I have to bring a machine up there and I have to start digging there is no sense in messing around I will have to put in a new system. Councilman Sanford-What does it consist of to do the test pit data, Mr. Voorhis is concerned that doing this test pit data will damage or destroy his existing system, is that a safe statement. Director Hatin-Typically it is done outside where the existing system will be in the same area. We would do it adjacent to the existing system if we knew where it was. We would expose the existing system to see where it is first. Councilman Boor- 449 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 When would you plan on building this home? Mrs. Voorhis-Soon, we were supposed to start in May. Councilman Boor-I truly believe that we will have an engineer that will be able to do this in a certain amount of time, but taking the worst case scenario and we do not have one, I do not see why this board couldn’t put in a requirement that for some reason if we do not have an engineer that when the season comes around June to March that he would be required to do it during the regular season. If it is determined that it is not adequate then he has got to make an improvement to the system. Director Hatin-So, you are saying wait until next March? Councilman Boor-No he can build right now and use it right now. I am saying that he can build a new house and he can connect it to this system and in June if we do not have somebody who can do a test we will have the test done when it is supposed to be done according to DOH. If it is determined that there is high ground water than he is going to have to put in a new septic system in. Councilman Strough-What you are saying is we are going to make the assumption now that it is going to be satisfactory because it seems that it was built for a three bedroom house, with no garbage grinder and no hot tub. That this probably is going to be satisfactory, but we will verify it in the test pit season which is in the spring. Councilman Boor-Unless we prior to that designate a particular engineer to do it ahead of time. Councilman Sanford-That does not seem unreasonable. Mr. Voorhis-It is all right with me as long as when the digging starts whether it is spring or when ever you guys I just want to be able to, if I have to contract out for the machinery I want to get it done once. Councilman Sanford- What Mr. Boor is suggesting is that you would proceed with your new construction on your home, you would hook to the existing system and then when the in season testing period takes place you would then do test pit data to make sure that the ground level..is in compliance, if it is not then you may have to remedy. Director Hatin-It is the Board choice would you pass a resolution under Board of Health? Supervisor Stec-I was going to ask you to write a letter summarizing and putting it in the file, write a letter to Mr. Voorhis that explains our understanding here and copy the Town Board and put it in the file and that way there is a record of it, there is not a resolution that is required. FIRE DISTRICTS Supervisor Stec-Noted he had spoken to every Chief once and others, I listen to everything that I heard and I have got a handout that I gave you and a map, with seven scenario’s zero through six, zero is status quo no changes. All scenario’s include 2006 assessed value, the current contract, non contract costs (service awards and workers comp) . total cost (approved contract plus the non contract) and what the total rate per thousand would be. Noted current tax rate is .649 town wide. Scenario 1. North Queensbury’s line is currently two hundred feet south of Pickle Hill, move line to the center of Pickle Hill, South Queensbury Split, north half to Bay Ridge and South half to Queensbury Central. West Glens Falls –change minor line change gives some of Queensbury Central’s border near W.G.F. to W.G.F. Scenario 2. Modification Scenario 1 - West Glens Falls-Corner of Peggy Ann and West Mt. Road, Algonquin, Chippewa included in West… Same split with South Queensbury Scenario 3. No districts keep fire protection district town wide but consolidate South between Bay Ridge and Central as in Scenario 1 Scenario 4. Only give North Queensbury a district in the current configuration and put the rest of the Town in a Fire Protection District. Scenario 5. Two District scenarios – West and Central cleaved out and then North, Bay Ridge and South cleaved out. Scenario 6. Three District scenario – North Queensbury and Bay Ridge go together, Queensbury Central and South go together, and then West on their own. Noted that he did not endorse any of these scenarios. 450 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 Board discussed the various options, spoke on one district in the Town … Noted costs were done three fold, based on assessed value, per call and per population, the closest apples to apples of the three measurers is on a per capita basis, on that basis we were $68-69 per person. Councilman Sanford-noted that the 65 cents per thousand is cheap… Councilman Strough-spoke to the Board regarding fire commissioners and its benefits, public would vote on fire commissioners, large purchases would be voted on by the voters. Supervisor Stec-One district is an improvement over what we have now. Councilman Sanford-The school district is a district and the taxes keep on going up. In North Queensbury the reason that they pay four or five times more in property tax in fire taxes is because your home is worth four or five times more than the other people that don’t live on the lake, the same way a person who make a quarter of a million dollars pays a lot more income taxes than a person who makes fifty thousand dollars a year. Supervisor Stec-We have received four out of eight companies budget proposal for next year. Councilman Sanford-Before we consider districting, have the fire companies come together and put together in a town wide basis the following; reasonable redrawing of service area boundary lines and consolidate into a reasonable critical mass fire district ie. the three where you have enough numbers, once you have that established we see how it goes and then you contemplate forming a district. Supervisor Stec-Noted there are some parameters that are immovable like the locations of the fire houses. Councilman Sanford-There could be consolidation with the infrastructure that exists. If put into place a reasonable capital replacement schedule that lengthens out the time for replacement and we look at the needs for ladder trucks and specialized equipment with the help of a professional. Supervisor Stec-Noted that a lot of what you have suggested has been done in the past such as capital analysis, talking to professional has been done before. Councilman Sanford-There has been a five percent increase trend over the last four years that is not run away extravagance. Councilman Strough-We have to realize that growth does cost. The only way to knock down the cost of growth is by expanding your commercial your light industrial the ones that don’t ask for community services. Supervisor Stec-Will present the scenario’s to the fire companies. DISCUSSIONS Councilman Sanford-Noise testing regarding the Great Escape-Marilyn Ryba said she will be doing it. I would like to go back to the Great Escape, and say you are obligated to do this and you are going to pay for it can we have our engineer do the study and you pay for it. Lets see if the Great Escape voluntarily agree to an independent review of the noise levels but they pay…noted he will talk to Marilyn on that. Lynn Avenue, I spoke to Highway and Craig Brown Highway feels that as we move forward in new developments typically the developer will own the property put the road in and deed it over to the Town. Spoke on the proposed extension cost…Supervisor Stec-I am leaning in favor of getting the extension done. Councilman Sanford-Requested that the Supervisor speak to the Highway Supt. on this project. Requested a workshop in September on reviewing our HR policies. I want to know from Jennifer on the P&C RFP where does that stand. Budget Officer Switzer-I contacted him by phone requested a contract from him we received that last week, legal is reviewing it, I asked him what he needed to get started I received that list and we are working on it. Will schedule times the Board Members can meet with him. Supervisor Stec-Spoke to the Board regarding Mountain View Lane and West Mountain Road, hope to get the project done this year. Spoke about the meeting with the Mayor of Glens Falls regarding Thunderbird Drive, corrections are being made. Will be having a workshop on the dam and stormwater run off… Councilman Boor-Spoke to Town Counsel regarding the establishment of the Sunnyside Protection District. My take is the survey should only be the shore line, he will look into it. Where are we on the RFP on the legal. Councilman Sanford-Noted he just gave Dan a copy off the internet from another town looking for legal services. Re: Sunnyside District another way would be to do it as a factor of assessed value with a very low ceiling, so basically everybody pays a level fee except for someone who owns a little parcel and they would pay less. Councilman Strough-Need to decide how to go with the nd Comprehensive Land Use Plan, we need to schedule a public hearing by October 22. and get public feed back. Will need to negotiate the cable contract fairly soon. Town Counsel is writing a letter to Verison saying that we are interest in their television services. 451 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 07-31-2006 MTG. 29 RESOLUTION ADJOURNING TOWN BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION NO. 365, 2006 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Special Town Board Meeting. st Duly adopted this 31 day of July, 2006 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Brewer Respectfully submitted, Miss Darleen M. Dougher Town Clerk-Queensbury