2014-11-03 - Mtg 39 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 1
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG#39
November 3, 2014 RES# 376-387
7:00 P.M.
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH
COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER
COUNCILMAN BRIAN CLEMENTS
COUNCILMAN DOUG IRISH
COUNCILMAN WILLIAM VANNESS
TOWN COUNSEL
ROBERT HAFNER
TOWN OFFICIALS
BUDGET OFFICER, BARBARA TIERNEY
TOWN HISTORIAN, DR. MARILYN VANDYKE
PRESS
POST STAR
LOOK TV
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH
SUPERVISOR STROUGH called meeting to order...
PROCLAMATION- NEW YORK STATE HISTORY MONTH
PRESENTATION BY TOWN HISTORIAN, MARILYN VANDYKE- PROCLAMATION
OF APPRECIATION TO JOHN AUSTIN
1.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARING: ANNUAL 2015 BUDGET
NOTICE SHOWN: OCTOBER 24, 2014
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- All right, so I'm moving to overview our 2015 preliminary budget;
and then we're going to have a public hearing on it. If you have any questions, you'll be
welcome to ask them. But first let me give an overview. Our budget expenditures are going to
cover town-wide general operations, emergency services, lighting districts, wastewater districts,
water districts and others. Now the other, I'll explain later, but basically it's the Glen Lake and
Lake Sunnyside and our new North Queensbury environmental districts. Okay, town-wide
general operations, you can see, I put both last year and the proposed this year's budget up there.
For example, 2014 our general fund appropriations was twelve million, seven hundred thirty-one
thousand, forty-five dollars ($12,731,045) and for 2015, we are proposing a thirteen million, one
hundred and twenty-nine thousand, six hundred and sixty-three dollar budget ($13,129,663).
Cemetery fund, as you can see, 2014 was five hundred and eighty-six thousand ($586,000) and
the 2015 we're proposing five hundred and ninety-eight thousand ($598,000). Highway fund was
four million, sixty-nine thousand, eight hundred and forty-eight ($4,069,848) and we're
proposing it to be four million, one hundred thirty-four thousand, nine hundred dollars
($4,134,900). Our solid waste fund, as you can see, we're proposing that that goes down. In 2014
it was five hundred and ninety-three, nine hundred and seventy-five thousand (593,975) and this
year we're proposing it to be five hundred and eight thousand, five hundred and twenty-five
dollars ($580,525). If you look at the right hand side, it's a summary; a total of town-wide
general operations was seventeen million, nine hundred and eighty-one thousand, three hundred
and eighteen dollars ($17,981,318) in 2014. This year we're proposing eighteen million, three
hundred and seventy-one thousand and five hundred and thirty-eight dollars ($18,371,538), a
difference of three hundred ninety thousand, two hundred twenty-two dollars ($390,222), which
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is up two point two percent (2.2%). Now the amount to be raised by taxes is one million seven
hundred and sixty-four thousand, three hundred and thirteen thousand ($1,764,313). There's
going to be a slight increase in the tax rate. As you can see the tax rate in 2014 was .602, this
year .613. It's an increase of about thirty-one thousand, three hundred and sixty-eight dollars
($31,368) or about one (1) cent per thousand dollars ($1,000) of assessment, an increase of one
point eight percent (1.8%). The reason for the increases, mostly in the largest way, are the
increases in workman compensation and health insurance; two things we don't have much
control over. Next, emergency services, as you can see, fire in 2014 was two million, seven
hundred fifty-nine thousand, five hundred ($2,759,500), we're proposing in 2015 two million,
seven hundred seventy-five thousand, five hundred ($2,775,500), an increase of sixteen thousand
(16,000) or about one percent (1%). EMS 2014 it was one million, six hundred, sixty-one
thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars ($1,661,750), and in 2015 we're proposing one
million, seven hundred and twenty-one thousand, five hundred dollars ($1,721,500), a fifty-nine
thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollar ($59,750) increase, almost three point five percent
(3.5%). I'll explain why in a little bit. If you go on the right hand side, my summaries. Total for
emergency services in 2014 was four million, four hundred and twenty-one thousand, two
hundred and fifty dollars ($4,421,250), we're proposing in 2015 that it be four million, four
hundred and ninety-seven thousand dollars ($4,497,000), an increase of about seventy-five
thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars ($79,750), or one point seven percent (1.7%). All right,
so the total for 2015, the four million, four hundred and ninety-seven thousand, two hundred and
fifty dollars ($4,497,250), revenues we're predicting will be about a little of a million dollars
($1,000,000), and most of that is bill for service, and we're going to use a hundred thousand
dollar ($100,000)EMS fund balance. So the total to be raised by taxes will be three million,
three hundred and ninety-three thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars ($3,393,750). That's
two million, seven hundred and seventy thousand, five hundred dollars ($2,770,500) for fire, and
six hundred and twenty-three thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars ($623,250). The tax rate
changes, as you can see, for fire it's about one percent (1%), for EMS it's seven point seven
(7.7). Now the reason why it's larger for EMS this year is because we are providing paid AILS
and BLS services. We have been covering the whole town in a floating manner. We have had
discussions with North Queensbury. They would like to have their coverage increased even
more, but we haven't got to those specific talks yet. But again, the EMS is providing AILS, which
is advanced life services, and BLS, which is basic life services, to those who need an ambulance
service. ALS is needed when you have a heart attack or something serious. It's expensive; it
takes a lot of training to get there. The volunteers are just not there to give you twenty-four (24)
seven (7) coverage. It's just not there, so we've had to hire them out. But, on the other side
we've got a bill for service now, and as you can see, we're expecting revenues and using our
history of revenue income. This is to be expected of about a million dollars ($1,000,000).
Lighting districts: we have six (6) lighting districts as listed. The total for 2014 was a hundred
and thirty-nine thousand, eight hundred and seventy-five dollars ($139,875) and 2015 was a
hundred and forty-two thousand, eight hundred and twenty-five dollars ($142,825). A difference
of about two thousand, nine hundred and fifty ($2,950), about a two percent (2%) increase.
Wastewater districts: they're listed up there on the left. Our total appropriations for all those
wastewater districts in 2014 was two million, one hundred and forty-three thousand, two hundred
and thirty six dollars ($2,143,236), we're proposing a one point two percent (1.2%) increase to
make it two million, one hundred sixty-nine thousand, forty-five dollars ($2,169,045)this year,
forth coming year. Water districts: they're listed up there for you. Total appropriation for 2014
was five million, one hundred and fourteen thousand, six hundred and eighty-four dollars
($5,114,684), and we're proposing a budget in 2015 of five million, two hundred and twenty-one
thousand, eight hundred and fifty-six dollars ($5,221,856), an increase of one hundred and seven
thousand, one hundred and seventy-two dollars ($107,172) or about two percent (2%). The other:
as you can see, we have a Glen Lake Benefit district. We have the Lake Sunnyside benefit
district and we have the brand new North Queensbury on-site wastewater disposal district. So, as
you can see, for the North Queensbury on-site wastewater disposal district they didn't exist last
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 3
year, but they do exist next year, so we have to include them in our budget. The numbers for
Glen Lake and Lake Sunnyside are not significantly changed from what they were last year.
That's what those districts offer to us. So, the grand totals: last year's grand total budget was
twenty-nine million, eight hundred and seventy-four thousand, five hundred and fifty-seven
dollars ($29,874,557), and we're proposing an increase of about six hundred and six thousand,
three hundred and forty-nine dollars ($606,349), which is about two percent (2%). So that this
year's proposed budget is thirty million dollars, four hundred and eighty thousand, nine hundred
and six dollars ($30,480,906). Our 2015, next year, our estimated non-tax revenues will be
almost eighteen million dollars ($18,000,000). Our subsidy from the general fund will be a little
over four million ($4,000,000); appropriated fund balance will be about a million ($1,000,000),
and the amount to be raised by taxes is seven million, three hundred and forty-four thousand, six
hundred and seven dollars ($7,344,607). Our budget cap was one point five six percent (1.56%),
we are below that. Questions? All right anybody in the public have any questions on the budget
please come forward to this table and...John, come on up. Please speak into the mic. Yes, the
public hearing is open, thank you.
JOHN SALVADOR- Thank you, for the record, my name is John Salvador, I'm a resident of
North Queensbury. The disappointing part about this seemingly tight budget is the fact that the
tax rate will be going up almost two percent (2%). Now that directly impacts the tax payer,
because unless our assessment changes our taxes automatically go up by that amount of money,
by that percentage.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, workman's comp went up a couple hundred thousand, health
insurance about a hundred and forty thousand ($140,000), so there's three hundred and fifty
thousand ($350,000) right there that we just don't have any control over. You have to pay it, you
have to have it.
MR. SALVADOR- We don't have to have as many people active doing these town tasks.
People cost money, that's got to be understood, here's a perfect example of it. Somehow you've
got to pare the payroll.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, the payroll has been pared and pared and pared and pared
since 2008. We've gone through really lean times. There comes a point where, listen, if you pare
it down any further, services are going to be severely diminished.
MR. SALVADOR- Okay, contrasting this tax rate increase between 2013 and 2014, the tax rate
actually went down. It went down almost six point nine percent (6.9%). That's a good trend.
What this tax rate really means is the town tax base is not expanding fast enough to cover the
cost of the operation. The economy is slowing down, you're not adding to the tax base.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, what we want to do is, this Board in particular has been
working very hard to adjust its zoning to be more dynamic, to be more aggressive, to encourage
more commercial actions. That brings in revenue, and if we can bring in revenue as per plan, but
it doesn't happen within the eleven (11) months, less than eleven (11) we've been in office, it's
going to happen eventually; because I think we've got a good plan to bring in some new
businesses and to bring in new revenues and that will help lower taxes.
MR. SALVADOR- Okay. No where do we see the actual 2014 expenditures as compared with
those estimated and ultimately the forecasted fund balance. You prepare this chart of
comparisons, but there is no way to tell how good we're doing with respect to cost control. Are
we living within our budget, and how much?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, overall we're below one point five six percent (1.56%).
MR. SALVADOR- That's the tax cap?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 4
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, it's also the rate of inflation. So, we're lower than the rate of
inflation John; and given the huge increases in workman comp and health insurance in other
areas I said we did fairly well.
MR. SALVADOR- I would really like to know what the estimated 2014 fund balance will be.
No, 2015 is impossible, 2014. We're coming to the end of the year. You must know what your
expenditures have been to date and some kind of an estimate for the expenditures to get to
December 31St. Compare that with the budget and you'll get yourself a fund balance. It was
reported at your last meeting that the one point five (1.5) million intended to be transferred to the
capital reserve fund in 2013 for the financing of future capital projects was never transferred,
never transferred. Therefore, as of the end of 2013 the general fund balance, and by the way this
is only the general fund, it is known that you have fund balances all over the place. Every one of
those districts has a balance.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That's not a bad thing John.
MR. SALVADOR- Huh?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That's not a bad thing. Unappropriated fund balances are to capture
those things that were not anticipated in the regular budget. You don't want to borrow money so
you always have a little bit extra for those unforeseen things, and they do happen every year,
trust me, like the Dixon Road culvert, you know.
MR. SALVADOR- ... want to be overtaxed.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We don't want you to be overtaxed either.
MR. SALVADOR- As of the end of 2013, the general fund balance remained at least five point
eight (5.8) million. That's what you had in your report. Now if we add to five point eight (5.8)
million the 2013 fund balance, that's a known fact, we get the fund balance that existed as of
January 2014. Now we add to that another fund balance from the year 2014. We're going to be
approaching millions and millions of unreasonable amounts of fund balances. When you add that
together with the water district and all those districts out there, you remember one time this town
was criticized for having an eleven (11) million dollar fund balance, remember that?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I was on that Board.
MR. SALVADOR- Pardon me?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I was on that Board.
MR. SALVADOR- Yeah, and what did we do?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We gave it all back.
MR. SALVADOR- That's right.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And then 2008 hit.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- And your taxes didn't go down.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Your county taxes went down.
MR. SALVADOR- We didn't have a town general tax.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We do now.
MR. SALVADOR- I know.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 5
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We gave all that money back.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, if we had reserved that. But hind sights beautiful, right.
MR. SALVADOR- I'm saying that we've got to be careful with all of these fund balances.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I agree.
MR. SALVADOR- We should have a reduction in our taxes.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- The other challenge that we have is, like John said, since 2008 the town
really hasn't done a lot with infrastructure and things that we need to do now. So, we're probably
going to need more money than we actually have to do some of the things that we need to.
MR. SALVADOR- It's called deferred maintenance.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, deferred maintenance, I mean, you take for example, the
Highway Department, they're dealing with trucks that we bought in 1995 and 1996, their rusting,
they're falling apart, transmissions are going. And you know how much those snow trucks get
used.
MR. SALVADOR- If they didn't drive them home at night.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- They don't drive snow plow trucks...
MR. SALVADOR- On the salty roads, they wouldn't deteriorate.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- They don't and they're expensive.
MR. SALVADOR- Okay, in any case, can we find out what is the general fund balance
forecasted to be as of December 31St
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It's in the million, four million...
BUDGET OFFICER, BARBARA TIERNEY- We really can't forecast anything until we get the
last sales tax projections.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, but...
MR. SALVADOR- Well you know what you're expenditures are ...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It's in the four million (4,000,000) area.
MR. SALVADOR- Pick a date, October 31St
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Yeah, but you don't know what the revenues are because they are
based on sales tax not property tax.
MR. SALVADOR- All right. At your last town board meeting I pointed out that not only has the
town again failed to include its share of the ensuing years Crandall Library budget expenses, but
the town has now deleted the library expense code 74-10 from its general fund appropriations
compilation. As you know, the State Legislature never intended for public libraries of any sort to
be granted powers of taxation, similar to school districts. In the case of the Crandall Public
Library the Legislature provided for the three (3) participating municipalities to raise the taxes
necessary to cover the Library's estimated annual expenditures. The only way this town can
authorize taxing its property owners for its share of the Crandall Public Library budget is through
the annual town budget approval process. Queensbury's share of the Library's 2015 budget is
one million, seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars ($1,767,000), or fifty-nine cents
($.59) a thousand (1,000) of assessed a valuation, and we support fifty-three percent (53%) of the
Crandall Library operation, the Town of Queensbury, and the other two (2) municipalities share
the difference. Every year without proper authorization a Crandall Public Library tax has been
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 6
included in my town and county tax notice, I showed you that a few weeks ago, as a town district
tax. Now you have in here all other districts, water districts, lighting districts. You have all other
districts here, why not the Library district?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, you know, every year this comes up John.
MR. SALVADOR- Yes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And we disagree with you on that matter. And our Town Attorney,
Bob Hafner, is going to elaborate a little bit more on that matter.
TOWN COUNSEL, ROBERT HAFNER- Would you like me to do that...
MR. SALVADOR- I would like to finish my...
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- I would prefer to wait until you're done speaking.
MR. SALVADOR- Thank you. It is only the town district tax which has not appeared in the
approved town budget. It is the only district type tax, the library tax that is, that does not appear,
all others do. As the town must be aware, I have been at work seeking an administrative remedy
to have what I consider to be an unwarranted Crandall Library district tax which has been
repeatedly included on my town and county tax notice. I have exhausted my administrative
appeal process having gone through the Town Assessor and the County Property Tax Services
Department. On July 24th, I filed an amended verified complaint seeking a determination as to
the proper taxing methodology to be used for financing the Crandall Library district, referring to
the Town of Moreau's approach as one (1)which conforms exactly to the statute. The town's
response was to argue that the different approaches are purely academic and would serve no
more purpose than to make a rule prescribing the proper direction to unwind toilet paper. We
responded that the issue here is not in which direction the toilet paper was hung, rather it is that
the proper process was used in undertaking the hanging of the toilet paper. A process governed
by statute. That's before Judge Krogmann. The Library's total 2015 spending plan amounts to
four million, four hundred and fifty-two thousand, four hundred and fifty-five dollars
($4,452,455). How many school districts have a budget that large? Of which Queensbury
property owners are assessed one million, seven hundred, sixty-seven thousand dollars
($1,767,000), or forty percent (40%) of the total. Imagine a library costing a municipality four
point four five (4.45) million dollars a year. A one million, seven hundred and sixty-seven
thousand dollar ($1,767,000) annual library tax levy in the Town of Queensbury is on a par with
the pay for the town general fund taxes. That's what your general fund is. Think of all the things
you do with your general fund tax, think of all the highways, the town administration, everything
and that is comparable to what we're finding we're paying the Crandall Library for only forty
percent (40%) of its operation. Now, in your budget, speaking of libraries, you have a page here
of non-profit organizations, community services contracts, 2015 tentative budget September 13t1i
2013. The Mountainside Free Library is listed here as a not for profit organization, Crandall
Library is the same. Mountainside Library is here, where is Crandall Library? Libraries are
libraries, both part of... On page two (2) of resolution number one point one (1.1)tonight's
schedule there is a provision for the introduction of modifications to the 2015 preliminary
budget. I suggest that the Queensbury Town Board section general fund appropriations include a
line item code number seventy-four ten (74 10) dash library, this code of accounts should show
the Town's share of the 2015 budget and expenditures for the Crandall Public Library. The
Board of Directors of the Library has approved the Town's share for the ensuing year to be one
million, seven hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars ($1,767,000). I also see that your
resolution for approval tonight, resolved that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the
Town Clerk to prepare and certify duplicate copies of the adopted annual budget and deliver one
copy to the Queensbury Town Supervisor so that he may present it to the Warren County Board
of Supervisors. This is according to statute. But, I will meet you at the door to show you that
your budget is not complete unless you include the Library. That's enough for today. Thank you.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 7
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, thank you, John.
TOWN COUNSEL, ROBERT HAFNER- Would you like me to?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, would you speak to that?
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- I'd be glad to. Mr. Salvador's just wrong about the Crandall
Library district. What I think may not be clear to everybody is that the Crandall Library district is
different than many other libraries, it is a taxing district, which was formed by the New York
State Legislature by laws they passed. It created a district, which is made up of three (3)
municipalities, the Town is one. It sets up how the Library district comes up with its budget. It's
similar to what we do, they have to have their own public hearings, they got through their own
process, they adopt the budget. Because the library district is not a municipality it doesn't issue
its tax bills, the legislation says that each of the municipalities will get their share by the district
going through that process and we are the one that collects it, but it is not a town tax, it does not
show up in our budget, it is not ours. They are their own entity; they have their own elected
officials. Once again, Mr. Salvador has sued the town costing the tax payers money to have to
defend claims like this.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, thank you. Yes, John.
MR. SALVADOR- If that be the case, the Warren County Board of Supervisors publishes every
year its proceedings, book that thick. In the proceedings in the Warren County Board of
Supervisors, every year is every single town budget, a summary, it's a summary. Saratoga
County does the same thing, and in the Town of Moreau's budget listed in that proceeding is the
Crandall Library budget for the Town of Moreau. Now if you come to Warren County and you
look in the Warren County's proceedings, no Crandall Library budget, you would never know
that the tax payers of this community are financing to the tune of almost two million dollars
($2,000,000) a year a library. Posterity will never know, you can't live with that Mr. Strough.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You can vote tomorrow, John. Thank you, John. Is there anybody
else from the public that would like to speak, yes, George, to the proposed 2015 town budget?
GEORGE WINTERS- 4 John Clendon Road, Queensbury. I see they all raised but the solid
waste fund. I don't know who runs that, who's in charge of that?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, its Chris Harrington right now and it's based on expenses,
and some years the expenses go up.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER-Not wastewater, he said solid waste.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Oh, solid waste, yes. Keith Sheerer, yes, I'm sorry.
MR. WINTERS- And that's Harrington, right, no?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-No, no, Keith Sheerer. I was thinking wastewater. Solid waste is
Keith Sheerer. I stand corrected.
MR. WINTERS- I know they have come here several times and the Water Department too, they
have come before the Board and explained stuff. I got to say eighty percent (80%) of the time
they look like they are trying to save money for the Town of Queensbury, and the only thing I've
got to say is I think is what you've got to do is go back to the head of every one of these
departments and ask them, because I work down at Pruyn's, and every year they come out,
they've had some good years, yeah they'd let them float, but Mr. Carota would come out and say
hey boys I don't like this.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, we did go through that George.
MR. WINTERS- What you've got...
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 8
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- George, we went through that, we did that.
MR. WINTERS- And these numbers here are from...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, that's about as good as we can do. Keep in mind you can do
that year after year after year after year. Okay, at some point, and we're still continuing, one of
the reasons why wastewater is lower is because we eliminated a position there. So, we're
working on it.
MR. WINTERS- This pamphlet here...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
MR. WINTERS- I can name you probably ten (10) people on my street that don't waste the time
to come to the door. You're going to say that there's ten (10) other people that use that, but I
come to you in the spring of the year and say and I get about three (3) or four(4)things that I
thought that you would take a look at and then when I got this I said apparently they didn't take a
look at it...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, George we did take a look at it, and we are starting to do a
more web-sited programming, and we're going to phase into that. No, it didn't happen overnight,
no it didn't happen in the four months since you mentioned it, but we're working on it George.
MR. WINTERS- And then another thing I mentioned, these are just the little things; the little
things end up to the big things...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- The little things add up.
MR. WINTERS- First, you take care of the pennies and then the next thing you know you've got
a dollar in your pocket.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, and I agree with that principle.
MR. WINTERS- Okay. People on ...and people that work for the Town of Queensbury they get
paid not to take taxes, and their insurance. The biggest thing you say is that it saves money. It
don't save money because if a guy says okay, you got insurance, you're not going to take it from
the Town. We aren't going to pay you for not taking it, either you pay it and take it or you don't
get it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So, if we save money, you're going to give us a pat on the back?
MR. WINTERS- Yes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Like the solar cells on this building, that building and the four (4)
other buildings that are saving taxpayers money right now.
MR. WINTERS- Yes, but that don't have nothing to do with what I just mentioned.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, it's an effort on behalf of this Board to try and reduce your
taxes as much as we can and be green at the same time. We are making the effort, George.
MR. WINTERS- So many people around the Town, and then they say the Town's growing and
stuff, you'd think our taxes would be going down.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Again George, 2008, we're just recovering, the economy is very
slow in getting its act back together but it is moving in that direction. We're working on some
very aggressive zoning schemes, such as the Main Street program. It's much more marketable
now. We're working on an Exit 18 zone that we think will attract some very good solid business
to the area. We're expanding our industrial zone in and around the airport. We're working very
hard and we're taking a look twenty-five (25) years down the road at the same time, George.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 9
We're taking a look at our wastewater needs twenty-five (25) years from now and start to plan
for that, so that we are going to be a community that attracts good business, attracts good jobs
and brings in the revenue that lowers taxes. We're working hard on that.
MR. WINTERS- Lower my taxes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And don't forget, we got assessed by the State, and not every
community gets this, zero risk assessment. What we're doing is fiscally sound. We're all fiscal
conservatives here.
MR. WINTERS- Okay, thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you. Yes, Ron.
RON BALL- I'm here to talk about the highway fund. It looks like it's going up seventy
thousand dollars ($70,000). I think that's fabulous. I can't understand how he can do so much,
Tommy VanNess, with such little money. He does an outstanding job; the men that work for him
do an outstanding job. They're well trained. I understand that you only gave him fifty cents
($0.50) more an hour for a three (3) year period, which I'm telling you, to get quality workers to
operate equipment they can get a lot more money out on the road and other places. The reason
why I'm bringing this all up is because we've got a big problem on the West Mountain Road.
The West Mountain Road is a Warren County road and it is in really terrible shape, and I'd like
to see the Town of Queensbury take a County road over. I'd like our Highway Department to do
it, I know the Highway Department, I've seen some of their equipment that needs to be replaced.
They just find a way to get things done and they do a much nicer job in the blacktopping. Now
Warren County, from what I understand, the West Mountain Road is in such bad shape right
now, there's potholes from one end to the other of the road, and there's sharp curves, there's
hills, slopes. You want to add on a public parking area on there on an unsafe area. But, Warren
County does not have any money to fix this, to do anything with it. Every year they have a
budget like we're having here, and somehow other departments dip into their budget, the Warren
County budget, and they take the money out of there that should have fixed our road, West
Mountain Road. The money's not there. I think it's time that we look into it and we make the
West Mountain Road a Queensbury road. Let the Queensbury Highway take care of it. Their
trucks are on it more than Warren County is. The snow plow trucks have to go on it to do all the
lateral streets that are off from it. I'm constantly seeing just the pickups from Queensbury pickup
trucks running up and down the road doing different things. It would be so much easier for us to
maintain than Warren County. I think they could do a much better job. I would really like some
support here for us to go and see if we can possibly do that because we're not getting our
money's worth through Warren County for the repair work to the West Mountain Road. It's
getting dangerous, very dangerous. I've said this before, something has to be done and right now
fuel prices are down, and when fuel prices go down so does the blacktop because the petroleum
that is involved in it that makes blacktop cheaper at this time of year. But, there's no money in
the budget for the County to go there and do it. Here's where the problem is, next year, if fuel
keeps going down we're going to have less revenue from the sales tax because people aren't
paying the high prices for sales tax, that seven percent (7%), so the County is going to have less
money yet. So, I don't think that road will ever get fixed. The only thing it's going to do is get
worse. So, I'd like someone to step up to the plate here and say okay, why don't we look into it
and see if we can take this over from the County. That's all I have to say, thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you, Ron. Yes, ma'am.
CARISSA COGDILL- Just a couple quick comments. The highway fund, I'm fine with that
going up. I would, though, like it to go up a little bit more. I'd like to have our potholes fixed
faster. I live off from Peggy Ann and both my husband and I have had to put in multiple wheel
bearings in our vehicles from hitting what we like to refer to as craters because of the depth of
these potholes. I know that depending upon the weather, you know, they temporarily fill them,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 10
however we cannot subrogate and recover any of those moneys and you have to put them
through your car insurance so in the backend I may not be paying for it through my taxes
however, I'm paying more in my insurance going up, I'm paying more in my deductibles. So, I'd
like to see if maybe, I'm not quite sure if this budget covers what specifically goes for that type
of repair through the highway, but I'd like to see if maybe that could be addressed. We had a bad
winter last year and it was like all over the place. The second thing was the increase regarding
the workers comp and health insurance. I'm in the insurance industry myself and the company
that I work with has a surcharge that is applicable should you not take a well-being assessment or
health assessment. You know,just kind of be aware where you are at health wise. I didn't know
if the medical insurance that we offer our town employees has something like that? The workers
comp, I'm not sure, does any of that increase go into continuing education and training of the
employees to make sure that they are safe?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It is now. Yeah, it is now. As of this year, with this Board, we are
having safety procedures, a whole new safety program, a get healthy program, everything you
just mentioned we are now doing.
MS. COGDILL- Okay, because it's important..
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It is important, and those are great suggestions.
MS. COGDILL- You have a pre-existing injury and you don't have a proper brace on, obviously
that's going to cost us a lot more money in paying those increases in medical.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We are working very hard on that, yes.
MS. COGDILL- Okay, that was it,just fix our potholes...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I will talk to Tommy VanNess.
MS. COGDILL- That would be great.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Bill happens to be your supervisor down there so.
MS. COGDILL- Oh, we're going to talk afterwards.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- is that ward four(4)?
MS. COGDILL- I'm sorry? I mean, they do the best that they can, however when you're coming
home at night, nine (9), ten (10) o'clock at night and hit something that you have absolutely no
idea what it is and you see it the next morning and it's about four (4)to six (6) inches deep.
COUNCILMAN VANNESS- They're usually pretty active...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, if you give us a call.
COUNCILMAN VANNESS- Give me a call or whatever time...Give one of us a call and we'll
get it taken care of
COUNCILMAN IRISH- They mark most of what they're going, if you see white chalk around
those areas, they're going to get to them this year.
MS. COGDILL- Okay, I know that they fill them afterwards but also being in insurance I knew I
couldn't successfully subrogate, however, you know, eight hundred and fifty dollars ($850) out
of my pocket, is a lot less than the increases on the tax. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, all right thank you very much. Anybody else from the public
that would like to speak to the proposed 2015 Town of Queensbury budget? All right, seeing
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 11
none I will close the public hearing and let's retire to our seats and carry on business. I wish to
thank the public for their input, and I'd wish to thank very strongly and very much this Town
Board's right handed person, our Budget Officer, Barbara Tierney. Thank you very much for all
the work that you do. What you see tonight in the budget really is her work on many days. She
handles the budget on a day to day basis. She gives us excellent guidance. Thank you, Barbara.
BUDGET OFFICER, BARBARA TIERNEY- Thank you.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET FOR 2015
RESOLUTION NO.: 376,2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.William VanNess
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board conducted a public hearing on Monday,
November 3rd, 2014 concerning the proposed 2015 Preliminary Budget and all interested persons
were heard, and
WHEREAS, the proposed 2015 Preliminary Budget sets forth the proposed 2015 salaries
of the Town's Elected Officials as required by New York State Town Law §27,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs that the
2015 salaries for the Town of Queensbury Elected Officials shall be as follows:
TOWN SUPERVISOR 67,276.
TOWN COUNCIL,PERSON(4) 18,000.
TOWN CLERK 66,442.
TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT 67,161.
TOWN JUSTICES (2) 42,969.
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby adopts the 2015 Preliminary Budget presented
at this meeting as the Town of Queensbury Annual Budget for 2015 with the following
modifications:
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to enter
the Adopted Annual Budget in the minutes of the Town Board proceedings, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 12
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that a copy of the adopted Annual Budget for 2015, including a copy of the
S495 Exemption Impact Report, is attached and made part of this Resolution, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby states its support of non-profit and other
community organizations by providing funding as outlined in the Schedule of Contributions
which is contained in the supporting documentation to the 2015 Adopted Budget, subject to
Town Board approval and the availability of funding, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
prepare and certify duplicate copies of the Adopted Annual Budget and deliver one copy to the
Queensbury Town Supervisor so that he may present it to the Warren County Board of
Supervisors.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough
NOES None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING: AMENDMENT TO ORDINACE 28: ESTABLISHING THROUGH
HIGHWAYS AND STOP INTERSECTIONS IN THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY,
COUNTY OF WARREN,NEW YORK
NOTICE SHOWN: OCTOBER 24,2014
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-I will open the public hearing. Anybody that would like to speak to our
proposal to put some stop signs at the Broadacres, Ashely Place intersection so that it will be a four
(4) way stop. Currently, it is a stop for those progressing on Ashley Place, but not for those
progressing in either direction on Broadacres Road. That has led to some confusion. Some students
who are walking home and walking to school have been jeopardized by the fact that some people
don't understand that this intersection is not a four (4) way stop as of now. This Board, Ward IV,
Councilman VanNess, and Ward III, Doug Irish, because it's in both of their wards, one (1) stop
sign is in one (1) and the other stop sign is in the other, has proposed that we consider this. So, they
would like to hear from the public here tonight. If anybody has anything to say about the proposed
stop signs, which would be on Broadacres Road as it approaches Ashley Place. All right, seeing
none I will close the public hearing. Any discussion on behalf of the Town Board?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- The only thing I'd like to add to that John is the configuration of that
corner is a little difficult as well because the stop sign sits so far back on Ashley heading north, that
you don't really see the intersection of Broadacres or people going through Broadacres until you go
through the stop sign. You might be, it's probably thirty(30) feet from where you stop to the center
of the intersection or more. So, it's not really, at least in my mind, I'm not an engineer, a well-
designed intersection as far as I can see. I did talk to Tom about moving the placement of the stop
signs that are there because of some other things in the area, and State law, he can't put out any
further out into the intersection. I think a four(4) way is really the safest correction down there that
we can do at this point.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 13
COUNCILMAN VANNESS- I know three (3) of us at different times, I think Doug and John went
down together, I went down and had people stop me right there on the street and said `you're finally
going to make this a four (4) way intersection'? Again, the main concern was the kids coming out
of Kensington and out of school there coming across because just prior to that there is a four way
intersection on Ashley Place. When you come to that intersection and it's not, so it confuses some
of the drivers as well because it's a four way stop coming across Ashley but not coming across
Broadacres. So, your main thoroughfare you're stopping on, the other one you're not so I think it
will be a lot of help.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I think so too. I agree with Councilman Irish and Councilman
VanNess. Any other concerns or questions? All right, do I hear a motion enacting? Public hearing
closed.
RESOLUTION ENACTING AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE 28
ESTABLISHING THROUGH HIGHWAYS AND STOP INTERSECTIONS
IN THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY, COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW YORK
RESOLUTION NO.: 377, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.William VanNess
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury has in effect Ordinance No. 28 - Ordinance
Establishing Through Highways and Stop Intersections in the Town of Queensbury, County of
Warren, New York, and this Ordinance lists the stop intersections and signs located within the
Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to consider amending Ordinance No. 28 by adding a
stop intersection at the intersection of Broadacres Road and Ashley Place, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed
Amendment to Ordinance No. 28 on Monday,November 3rd, 2014 and the Town Board now wishes
to enact the Amendment to Ordinance No. 28,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby enacts the proposed Amendment to
Ordinance No. 28 presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to enter the Amendment to Ordinance No. 28 in the minutes of this Town Board meeting,
publish the Amendment to Ordinance No. 28 (or a summary or abstract) once in the Glens Falls
Post Star, file an affidavit of the publication in the Town Clerk's Office, and the Amendment to
Ordinance No. 28 shall take effect ten(10) days after publication.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 14
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: None
2.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR FOR RESOLUTIONS ONLY (LIMIT 3
MINUTES)
GEORGE WINTERS- Questioned the Board regarding resolution 3.8 authorizing agreement
with C.T. Male Associates for provision of engineering services related to the Highway
Department garage improvements. Asked if C.T. Male is a local company?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, some of them are local. Explained and reviewed the resolution
for Mr. Winters.
JOHN SALVADOR- Also questioned the Board regarding resolution 3.8 relating to the highway
garage. Asked if there was a budget for the complete job?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, money will come from the capital project fund.
3.0 RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HIRING OF GREGORY MOON AS
FULL-TIME LABORER FOR TOWN WATER DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 378, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Water Superintendent has advised the Queensbury
Town Board that one of his full-time employees recently retired and therefore he would like to
replace such employee with a full-time Laborer, and
WHEREAS, consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Water
Superintendent posted availability for the position, and
WHEREAS the Water Department Superintendent reports that he received three resumes,
including one from within the Water Department, that he reviewed the resumes and recommends
that the Town Board authorize the hiring of current Water Department employee, Gregory Moon, as
the full-time Laborer, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 162,2014, the Town Board authorized the hiring of
Gregory Moon as a Seasonal Laborer to work during the summer for the Town Water Department
and by Resolution No.: 297, 2014, the Town Board authorized an extension of Mr. Moon's
employment terms for up to six(6) months or until on or about November 12th 2014,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 15
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the hiring of
Gregory Moon as a full-time Laborer in the Town's Water Department effective on or about
November I Otl' 2014 subject to completion of an eight (8) month probationary period, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that Mr. Moon shall be paid the hourly rate of pay for the Laborer position as
delineated in the Town's current Agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Water Superintendent and/or Town Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADIRONDACK RUNNERS' 5K REINDEER
RUN TO BENEFIT CINDY'S CAMP COMFORT
RESOLUTION NO.: 379, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the Adirondack Runners has requested authorization from the Queensbury
Town Board to conduct its annual Reindeer Run 5k Road Race/Walk to benefit Cindy's Camp
Comfort as follows:
SPONSOR Adirondack Runners
EVENT Reindeer Run 5k Road Race/Walk
DATE Saturday, December 6th 2014
TIME 9:00 a.m.
PLACE Beginning on Haviland Road and ending at SUNY
Adirondack
(Email and Map delineating course are attached);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby acknowledges receipt of proof of
insurance from the Adirondack Runners Club and therefore approves and authorizes the Reindeer
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 16
Run 5k Road Race/Walk within the Town of Queensbury to benefit Cindy's Camp Comfort on
Saturday, December 6t1i 2014, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves this event subject to the Town Highway
Superintendent's approval of the race, which approval may be revoked due to concern for road
conditions at any time up to the date and time of the event.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDS
FOR SALE OF OBSOLETE EQUIPMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 380, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York State Town Law §64(2), the Queensbury Town
Board may authorize the sale of items which are no longer needed by the Town or obsolete, and
WHEREAS, the Town's Budget Officer requested that Town Departments advise of any
surplus items in their respective Departments and the Town Budget Officer did receive lists of items
from various Departments which are considered to be surplus, and
WHEREAS, the Budget Officer advised the various Town Departments of the surplus items
and did not receive any requests from the Departments for such surplus items and therefore has
requested Town Board authorization to sell the surplus items by using the auction company
GovDeals to dispose of such surplus property, or, if deemed unsafe and/or inoperable by the
Department Manager, to be sold as scrap, and
WHEREAS, the following is the list of surplus items provided by the various Town
Departments:
Item Asset No. Dept
2002 Multi-Grip Cement Mixer 4053 Parks
1991 Doolittle Trailer-16' 3178 Parks
2008 Stihl Chain Saw n/a Parks
1988 Mitsubishi Tractor 1774 Parks
2005 Savin Copier 4251 Court
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 17
10-Black Conference Room Chairs I n/a I Planning
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves of the sale of the surplus
items that are no longer needed by the Town or obsolete as follows:
Item Asset No. Dept
2002 Multi-Grip Cement Mixer 4053 Parks
1991 Doolittle Trailer-16' 3178 Parks
2008 Stihl Chain Saw n/a Parks
1988 Mitsubishi Tractor 1774 Parks
2005 Savin Copier 4251 Court
10-Black Conference Room Chairs n/a Planning
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and engagement of the
services of auction company GovDeals to sell/dispose of the surplus items, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that all Town proceeds from the sales shall be deposited into the appropriate
revenue account(s) in accordance with the Queensbury Town Code and New York State Laws, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer
and/or Purchasing Agent to accept or reject any bids received online for any online auction bids, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Town Budget Officer, Purchasing Agent and/or Town Counsel to take such further actions as may
be necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 18
RESOLUTION TO AMEND 2014 BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO.: 381, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the following Budget Amendment Requests have been duly initiated and
justified and are deemed compliant with Town operating procedures and accounting practices by the
Town Budget Officer,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town's
Accounting Office to take all action necessary to amend the 2014 Town Budget as follows:
From To
Code Appropriation Code Appropriation $
Central
001-1990-4400 Contingency 001-1660-4400 Storeroom 3,500
002-9060-8060 Health Insurance 002-1650-4100 Telephone 400
005-0000-0909 Fund Balance 005-3410-4415-4981 EMS Contracts 75,642
Misc.
040-0000-0909 Fund Balance 040-8340-4400 Contractual 10,000
Increase Revenue
001-0000-52680 Insurance Recovery 1,400
Increase
Appropriation
Misc. $
001-1620-4400 Contractual 1,400
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 19
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF 30 DAY NOTIFICATION
REQUIRED BY NEW YORK STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY FOR
PETITION FOR REMOVAL APPLICATION IN CONNECTION WITH
RAINER'S GOURMET, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 382, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., located at 89 County Route 41, Hudson Falls, New
York, is applying to the New York State Liquor Authority for a Petition for Removal from its
current address to 1 Abbey Lane, Queensbury, New York as set forth in its October 22, 2014 letter
to the Town Clerk presented at this meeting, and
WHEREAS, Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., has requested that the Town of Queensbury waive the
30-day notification required by the New York State Liquor Authority(NYS) in an effort to expedite
its Petition, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to authorize the Town Clerk to notify NYS that the
Town Board has waived the 30 day notification period before applicant's Petition is approved for
its new location,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town
Clerk to notify the New York State Liquor Authority that the Town waives the 30 day notification
period before the Petition for Removal is approved on behalf of Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., and that the
Town Board has no objection to petition, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
and/or Town Clerk to take any actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING WAIVER OF 30 DAY NOTIFICATION
REQUIRED BY NEW YORK STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY FOR
CHANGE IN CLASS APPLICATION IN CONNECTION WITH
RAINER'S GOURMET, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 383, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 20
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., located at 89 County Route 41, Hudson Falls, New
York, is applying to the New York State Liquor Authority for a Change in Class Application
immediately following approval of its Petition for Removal from its current address to 1 Abbey
Lane, Queensbury, New York as set forth in its October 22, 2014 letter to the Town Clerk presented
at this meeting, and
WHEREAS, Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., has requested that the Town of Queensbury waive the
30-day notification required by the New York State Liquor Authority(NYS) in an effort to expedite
its Change in Class Application, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to authorize the Town Clerk to notify NYS that the
Town Board has waived the 30 day notification period before Rainer's Gourmet, Inc.'s
application is approved for its Change in Class,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town
Clerk to notify the New York State Liquor Authority that the Town waives the 30 day notification
period before the Change of Class is approved on behalf of Rainer's Gourmet, Inc., and that the
Town Board has no objection to said application, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
and/or Town Clerk to take any actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2015 RENEWAL CONTRACT FOR
EMPIRE BLUE CROSS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PLAN
RESOLUTION NO.: 384, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury previously entered into agreements for employee
group health insurance plans with Blue View Vision, Empire Blue Cross and Empire Blue Cross
Medicare Advantage, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board, in conjunction with Capital Financial Group, has
negotiated a renewal contract for the year 2015 with Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 21
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves and authorizes a renewal
contract for the year 2015 with Empire Blue Cross Medicare Advantage with the 2015 monthly
premium to be $432.83 per individual, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
execute future renewal contracts without the need for additional Town Board Resolution provided
that such contracts do not provide for any changes to the percentage of employee contributions
toward monthly premiums and/or copays, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that effective January 1, 2015, all current employees and retirees shall pay an
additional .5% of the premium, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that in the event that surcharges, fees or taxes are mandated or imposed on
the Town's health insurance policies that are beyond the Town's control, resulting rate changes
may be passed on to all employees without further Town Board Resolution, although the Town
will provide notice of any such rate changes to all employees and retirees, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
execute any contracts and documentation and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to
take such other and further action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT WITH C.T. MALE
ASSOCIATES FOR PROVISION OF ENGINEERING SERVICES
RELATED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT GARAGE IMPROVEMENTS
RESOLUTION NO.: 385, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 22
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to enter into an Agreement with C.T.
Male Associates for the provision of engineering services related to the Town Highway Department
Garage improvements for the lump sum amount of$36,200 to be funded from the Capital Reserve
Fund #64, as set forth in C.T. Male's proposed Agreement dated October 24, 2014 and presented at
this meeting, and
WHEREAS, such proposed Agreement is in form approved by Town Counsel, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is authorized to withdraw and expend funds from the Capital
Reserve Fund#64 subject to permissive referendum, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves of the Agreement with
C.T. Male Associates, P.C. substantially in the form presented at this meeting for the provision of
engineering services related to the Town Highway Department Garage improvements for the lump
sum amount not to exceed $36,200, to be funded from the Capital Reserve Fund No. 64, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer to
amend the Town Budget to transfer $36,200 from the Capital Reserve Fund No.: 64 to Capital
Improvement Fund #202 Highway Facilities Improvement Fund, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer
to take all action necessary to increase appropriations and revenues as needed, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
execute such Agreement and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other
and further action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that this Resolution is subject to a permissive referendum in accordance with
the provisions of Town Law Article 7 and the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town
Clerk to publish and post such notices and take such other actions as may be required by law.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
*DISCUSSION HELD BEFORE VOTE:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 23
COUNCILMAN IRISH- With regards to the Standard form of Agreement between owner and
Architect, questioned the purpose of Article 5, section 5.2, which states: "If the Owner suspends
the Project, the Architect shall be compensated for services performed prior to notice such
suspension. When the Project is resumed, the Architect shall be compensated for expenses
incurred in the interruption and resumption of the Architect's services. The Architect's fee for
the remaining services and the time schedules shall be equitably adjusted". Asked if they would
have a problem pulling that section out?
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Will ask if they can delete that for this type of project. Explained
that the Board can still authorize it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- After further discussion it was the decision of the Board to amend
resolution 3.8 to delete the following sentence from Article 5, section 5.2 of the contract with
C.T. Male, "When the Project is resumed, the Architect shall be compensated for expenses
incurred in the interruption and resumption of the Architect's services".
RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT OF BILLS-
WARRANT OF NOVEMBER 4TH, 2014
RESOLUTION NO.: 386, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to approve an audit of bills presented as a
Warrant with a run date of October 30th 2014 and a payment date of November 4th, 2014,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the Warrant with a run
date of October 30th 2014 and a payment date of November 4th, 2014 totaling $822,723.82, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor
and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate
the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Irish, Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: None
4.0 CORRESPONDENCE- None
5.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR(LIMIT- 4 MINUTES)
CARISSA COGDILL- Concerned that Peggy Ann Road, the section between Ferris Drive and
Briggs Court, is becoming a dumping ground. There are also some properties that are not being
maintained. Who should be contacted to remedy the situation?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 24
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Asked Ms. Cogdill to send him an email with the specifics so that
the problem can be addressed.
JIM MACKEY- Read a statement to the Board concerning the airport expansion. He noted his
disappointment regarding the lack of interest that some Board Members had shown at the County
meeting last week on this issue.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Clarified for the record that 11.8 acres of land will be impacted not
destroyed.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Was not able to attend but he did reach out to Mr. Westcott regarding
his concerns. Also spoke to Rachel Seeber about wetland issues.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- There will be another meeting on this subject; however the date
and time are yet to be determined.
RON BALL- Mr. Ball noted his concern regarding the condition of West Mountain Road. He is
also concerned about additional parking being added near the trail.
GEORGE WINTERS- Spoke regarding six (6) employees taking town vehicles home at night.
COUNCILMAN VANNESS- Explained for Mr. Winters the use of those trucks.
CHRIS NAVITSKY- Spoke regarding the Eurasian water milfoil work that the Fund for Lake
George did on Lake George this year. Thanked the Town of Queensbury Highway Department
for their assistance with this project by providing hauling and disposal of the harvested milfoil.
Without their support and hard work, this task would not have been a success. Also thanked
Castaway Marina and Harris Bay Yacht Club for their help as well. Appreciates the Town's help
and assistance in protecting Lake George.
JOHN SALVADOR- Spoke regarding an article in last week's Chronicle in which Mark
Schachner was interviewed regarding the Glens Falls Civic Center. Referred back to the October
20th meeting where Councilman Irish reported on the status of the MJ Engineering capacity
analysis of the Bay Road sewer main. Questioned the Board when the Alexy Lane parking
public hearing would be back on the agenda?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Closed public hearing: Prohibiting Parking on Portion of Alexy
Lane in the Town of Queensbury
MR. SALVADOR- Asked if the work on the force main bypasses progressing?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- He attended a meeting last week with Councilman VanNess on this.
Work is scheduled to begin the third week of November, and they do not see a problem with
working through the winter. They are projecting work to be completed by April.
TOWN BOARD DISCUSSIONS:
COUNCILMAN METIVIER(WARD I)-Nothing to report.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS (WARD II)- Congratulated the Adirondack Regional Chamber of
Commerce for the hundred year gala at the Sagamore this past weekend. It was outstanding.
COUNCILMAN IRISH (WARD III)-
• Congratulated the Queensbury football team. They are still undefeated. They play Burnt
Hills at Shenendehowa next Saturday night at 7pm.
• The new Davidson Brothers Brewery is open. For anyone interested in seeing the facility,
there are guided tours available.
COUNCILMAN VANNESS (WARD IV)-
• Congratulated the Queensbury girls' field hockey team on a great season.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-03-2014,MTG 439 25
• Spoke regarding run down properties within the Town. The Town needs to figure out a
way to go after the banks/owners who are neglecting these properties.
• The Town has received grant monies from Home and Community Renewal (HUD) to
help assist people who need their homes winterized.
• Main Street update: Lefty's Ice Cream has been demolished; Appex Solar is up and
running in the old Double A Provisions; Concord Pools has started their building off from
Big Bay Road.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-
• Reviewed winter programs offered by our Parks and Recreation Department.
• Received the Fire Marshal Report for October. Reminder: your carbon monoxide detector
needs to be replaced at least every five (5) years and smoke detectors, at least every ten
years (10).
• Reviewed leaf pick-up schedule. Contact the Highway Department at 761-8211 with any
questions.
• Received our workplace safety and loss prevention report. We received a great report, an
A for effort.
• Congratulated the Town of Queensbury's Water Department Plant for being granted the
Phase Three (3) Director's Award.
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
RESOLUTION NO.: 387, 2014
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. William VanNess
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its
Regular Town Board Meeting.
Duly adopted this 3rd day of November, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. VanNess, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Respectfully Submitted,
Caroline H. Barber
Town Clerk
Town of Queensbury