2016-11-07MTG #33 REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 758
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG#33
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 RES# 356-377
7:00 P.M. B.H. 34-36
LL#8
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH
COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER
COUNCILMAN BRIAN CLEMENTS
COUNCILMAN DOUG IRISH
COUNCILMAN WILLIAM VANNESS- ABSENT
TOWN OFFICIALS
BUDGET OFFICER, BARBARA TIERNEY
DEPUTY HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT, DAVID DUELL
WATER/WASTEWATER SUPERINTENDENT, CHRIS HARRINGTON
TOWN COUNSEL
ROBERT HAFNER, ESQ.
PRESS
LOOK TV
POST STAR
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Called meeting to order...
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH
1.0 RESOLUTION ENTERING QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION ENTERING QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION NO.: 356, 2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns from
Regular Session and moves into the Queensbury Board of Health.
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mr. VanNess
BOARD OF HEALTH
PUBLIC HEARING- SEWAGE DISPOSAL VARIANCE APPLICATION OF TRSB
ENTERPRISES, LLC/TOM ROSECRANS
NOTICE SHOWN
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 759
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2016
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay. This is a place off Carey Road; it's going to be an indoor
rock climbing and training facility. I see the applicants and their agent. Is it Mr. Bruno?
DAN BRUNO, AGENT- Yes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Please come forward. The applicants don't have to unless they want
to.
MR. BRUNO- Here?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, thank you. So what we wish to do with this brand new
building and this light industrial district, which may someday have sewer, hopefully it will; we
are trying to avoid the rather large expense of putting in a whole system with a field, especially
since there might be a municipal sewer system or main going by you. At that time, you will
eliminate one of the tanks and then using the other tank as a septic tank, instead of a holding
tank, you'll connect to the main with a grinder pump and whatever else is required. Is there
anything else you'd like to add?
MR. BRUNO- No other than, as you said, there would be two tanks, one would be the primary
tank and that will flow into the secondary tank. The secondary tank will contain the alarms and
what not as required by the Town of Queensbury. Everything will be installed, alarms, the water
shut off and all of that. That second tank will have a level indicator that will tell Mr. Rosecrans,
who will have, as required, a contract with a local sewage disposal hauler, prior to reaching the
shut off I don't know how familiar you all are with that. With holding tanks, as required by the
Town, you reach a certain level and it's connected, that level switch is connected to a switch in
the building that turns the water off so you can't possibly put in more water into the tank. Prior to
that you'd get an alarm and that would signal the hauler to pump the tanks out.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah.
MR. BRUNO- As Mr. Strough stated with the advent of municipal sewer, which we're fairly
confident at that time that second tank will be disconnected and properly removed, filled, what
have you, and the primary tank would then be ...I talked to the Town Engineer, Chris
Harrington, and I think he is going to try to standardize on environment...big name sewage,
grinder pumps, etc. So I talked to them and that's what he would install.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, Chris Harrington, he is the Superintendent of Water and
Director of Wastewater, and he is putting a standard to the grinder pumps and the pipes; and
that's a resolution tonight to standardize that, as you already have expressed. So, what you want
is a variance from putting in a system and be allowed to put holding tanks in until we see what
happens.
MR. BRUNO- On a temporary basis.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
MR. BRUNO- ...a raised system that has been designed and submitted when the project was
submitted, the whole package was submitted for approval for a building permit. So, that's there,
but as you stated, we'd rather not go to that expense. In addition, when and if that municipal
sewer comes to fruition, that system would also have to be decommissioned so you've got an
added expense of that. So, you got the expense of installing it, then the expense of
decommissioning it. So,just trying to avoid those costs, if in fact, the municipal sewer does
provide sewer to that area.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, okay. Any questions from the Town Board?
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- I think I just have one. Let's say the sewer doesn't go through,
than you could put a field in after that?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 760
MR. BRUNO- Yes, that's a good question. In the event that the municipal sewer doesn't come to
reality, we would change the direction of the flow and put in the raised system, and that would be
a permanent system...
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- As per your first plan.
MR. BRUNO- That is correct.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Okay, that's all I have.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, let me see if any members of the public wish to speak to this
application, this variance application. If there are none, I will ask you to remain, however there is
one, so would you please temporarily take a seat in back of you and I may call you forward to
respond to any questions or concerns that residents may have.
JOHN SALVADOR- For the record, my name is John Salvador. I'm a little confused. Will these
users in the proposed district be required to tie in to the sewer system once it's in service?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
MR. SALVADOR- Will they be required to tie in?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Unless they receive a variance from this Board, John. That's the
way it is with all septic systems anywhere in the Town.
MR. SALVADOR- So you could reach the point where this particular facility could go it alone.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Only if this Board approves that, John. Again, they have to...once
the line goes in you are required to hook up unless you receive a variance from this Board.
MR. SALVADOR- Okay, so basically they're required to tie in.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
MR. SALVADOR- Is this the same sort of requirement we have on Route 9?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
MR. SALVADOR- So all they got to do is come before this Board once a year and get an
extension? That's all they do on Route 9.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- If they were to get a variance, the ones that have gotten variances
on Route 9, like the Glen Drive In, you know, it's probably going to be developed some day and
we know that and the new development will have to tie into the sewer. But, the Glen Drive In,
which is basically open for what, four months, and...
MR. SALVADOR- For example, we have a better example on Route 9, the Graycourt Motel.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And they have tied in. Yes, piece-meal they have tied in. The main
offices are tied in and I believe even additional has been done.
MR. SALVADOR- The motel itself is not.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I believe the office and possibly some of the units have tied in.
MR. SALVADOR- Okay, now they are proposing to leave one tank in to function as a septic
tank, put the grinder pump in and then tie into the proposed sewer system. In the Map, Plan and
Report this septic tank has not been proposed as part of the system. It would take the wastewater
directly from the facility, through the grinder pump and into the force main. Why would they
want to leave...
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 761
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- When we put in the main, we will make arrangements that are legal,
lawful and reasonable to tie into the main with whatever system they have.
MR. SALVADOR- It's the septic tank...the septic tank performs primary treatment. Why would
you take treated wastewater, okay, and treated it with untreated wastewater once you've treated
it? Why would you do that? I mean, it's not compatible with your Map, Plan and Report.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, whatever they did would have to be compatible with the Map,
Plan and Report, John.
MR. SALVADOR- There is no septic tank proposed for installation between the user and the
grinder pump. There is none. It's just a direct line into the grinder pump.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I think you're talking about a separate process from what this public
hearing is about though, John. I don't disagree with you but for the purpose of this public
hearing, it's about a variance for septic tanks, holding tanks for that business.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Holding tanks.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- And you're talking about a project that hasn't started yet, so I don't
know it's timely for this discussion.
MR. SALVADOR- This is a temporary arrangement.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Correct.
MR. SALVADOR- Do we have a specification for such a temporary arrangement? Is every one
of them going to do their own temporary arrangement?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We have specifications for holding tank and the applicant is abiding
by those specifications.
MR. SALVADOR- It's the functioning of one of those tanks as a septic tank that I'm
questioning, it's not...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It's not under this application, John. You're getting ahead of where
they're at.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And not only that, but Mr. Bruno, I guess when you step down; he
has a response to your concerns. Do you have any additional concerns?
MR. SALVADOR- Yes. Is the applicant aware that the sewer system has yet to be fully
approved? Is the applicant aware of the estimated cost of tying into this system?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- The applicant and all applicants and all land owners in the proposed
septic district have been made aware of the costs and what's involved. We aired it publicly, we
sent it through mail, we had a public hearing on it, John. They were here, some of the
applicants...
MR. SALVADOR- No, and all of the...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- The landowners were here. John you're the only one that seems to
be...
MR. SALVADOR- And all that we've heard so far, we have never heard that there's going to be
a septic tank between the building and the grinder pump. Now that produces...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Again, John, if that's your question; Mr. Bruno has an answer to it.
I asked you if you had something else.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 762
MR. SALVADOR- Okay. Just a point to make that the Town is in the process of getting
Comptroller approval for the sewer district?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That's correct.
MR. SALVADOR- And also DEC approval for the plan?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I believe it is going through DEC too.
MR. SALVADOR- That's it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Anybody else from the public like to speak to the Board on this
variance application? Seeing none, Mr. Bruno, Mr. Rosecrans.
MR. BRUNO- There's a little confusion here. We're talking about a holding tank verses a septic
tank. A septic tank does perform a different duty. In a septic tank you have baffles. The seepage
comes in and those baffles prevent the solids from migrating out and plugging up the system.
The liquid fraction flows over the baffles, retains the solids, they are worked on by bacteria. The
liquid fraction flows out into your leech field, leeching into the ground and is treated thusly. This
a holding tank, if it had a pump in it, it would be a pump station. A pump station does not
perform any reduction or change in the sewage. It goes in; it's a grinder pump for that reason. It
grinds the solids and then conveys them to a main, whether is a low pressure main, force main,
what have you. So there is a big difference between a holding tank and a septic tank. We're not
proposing a septic tank.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah. And you're asking for a variance to be allowed to have
holding tanks until the sewer line comes in.
MR. BRUNO- And if the sewer line doesn't go in, than we will put in the raised system which is
in the drawings, it has already been designed.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And then if the sewer line comes in, you will connect in accord with
the lawful way of doing it.
MR. BRUNO- Exactly.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes. Any further questions. Is there a motion? I'll close the public
hearing.
RESOLUTION APPROVING SANITARY SEWAGE DISPOSAL VARIANCE
APPLICATION OF
TRSB ENTERPRISES, LLC/TOM ROSECRANS
RESOLUTION NO.: BH 34,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, TRSB Enterprises, LLC/Tom Rosecrans (Applicant) filed an application for a variance
from Town of Queensbury On-Site Sewage Disposal Ordinance, Chapter 136, §136-11(A), which requires
applicants to obtain a variance for holding tanks, as the Applicant wishes to install two 2,500 gallon
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 763
temporary sanitary sewer holding tanks for its facility currently being constructed at 54 Carey Road in the
Carey Industrial Park in the Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk's Office published the Notice of Public Hearing in the Town's official
newspaper and the Local Board of Health conducted a public hearing concerning the variance request on
Monday,November 7"',2016, and
WHEREAS,the Town Clerk's Office has advised that it duly notified all property owners within 500
feet of the subject property,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED,that
1. due to the nature of the variance, it is felt that the variance would not be materially detrimental to
the purposes and objectives of this Ordinance or other adjoining properties nor otherwise conflict
with the purpose and objectives of any Town plan or policy, and
2. the Local Board of Health finds that the granting of the variance is necessary for the reasonable
use of the land and is the minimum variance which would alleviate the specific unnecessary
hardship found by the Local Board of Health to affect the Applicant, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Local Board of Health hereby approves the application of TRSB Enterprises,
LLC/Tom Rosecrans for a variance from the Sewage Disposal Ordinance to allow installation of two (2)
2,500 gallon temporary sanitary sewer holding tanks for its facility currently being constructed at 54 Carey
Road in the Carey Industrial Park in the Town of Queensbury,bearing Tax Map No.: 308.20-1-3.5.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON SEWAGE DISPOSAL
VARIANCE APPLICATION OF SCOTT CARROLL AND CHRIS MOTTA
RESOLUTION NO.: BH 35,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board serves as the Town's Local Board of Health and is
authorized by Town Code Chapter 136 to issue variances from the Town's On-Site Sewage Disposal
Ordinance, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 764
WHEREAS, Scott Carroll and Chris Motta have applied to the Local Board of Health for a variance
from Chapter 136 to replace their existing waterfront wastewater system,with the:
1. Clarus tank of the new system to be located 43' from the lake shoreline in lieu of the 50'
setback required,
2. Pump tank of the new system to be located 8' from the property line in lieu of the 10'
setback required, and
3. Clarus tank/Pump tank of such new system to be located 7' from the dwelling in lieu of the
10' setback required,
on property located at 73 Brayton Lane, Queensbury,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury's Local Board of Health will hold a public hearing on
Monday,November 21", 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury,
to consider Scott Carroll and Chris Motta's sewage disposal variance application concerning property located
at 73 Brayton Lane, Queensbury (Tax Map No.: 239.12-2-86) and at that time all interested persons will be
heard, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Local Board of Health authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town Clerk to
publish the Notice of Public Hearing presented at this meeting and send a copy of the Notice to neighbors
located within 500' of the applicant's property as required by law.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier,Mr. Clements
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION NO. B.H. 36, 2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns from the
Queensbury Board of Health and enters back into the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury.
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish
NOES: None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 765
ABSENT: Mr. VanNess
2.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARING- 2017 ANNUAL BUDGET
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2016
PRESENTATION BY SUPERVISOR STROUGH ON THE PROPOSED 2017 BUDGET
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Opened public hearing. Yes, sir?
TRAVIS WHITEHEAD- One thing I would like to note is that I have been on-line looking for
this. It might be some place on-line but I couldn't find it. I look in the packets and it's not there. I
came here a half hour early, this piece wasn't on the table or I didn't see it. I did have a chance to
look through these eighteen pages but you'll have to bear with me because normally I would be
spending a couple of hours looking at this stuff. I think we should have the opportunity to review
this given that it's probably the single biggest financial dealing in the Town...One of the things I
note is that, what stands out to me is that the tax rate is going up four point six percent and four
point six percent is a rather large number. You might now that for Social Security the cost of
living adjustment this year was zero point zero percent and for 2017 it will be zero point three
percent. I do note that your total budget, your thirty million dollar budget went up by forty-five
thousand. That's only zero point fifteen percent yet you're asking the taxpayers to cough up four
point six percent more on the ... Again, you're talking about a tax bill of a hundred and fifty and
it goes up by seven dollars, that's your four point six percent and this is all to raise, according to
this on page two, seventy five thousand dollars. Now, you've increased the general fund and
other funds by over three hundred thousand dollars. You did this at a time when the assessment
came out that you had zero physical stress. Largely based on the large amount of funds that are
already there, and yet the funds are raised again. Three hundred thousand dollars doesn't seem to
me that you couldn't have taken seventy-five thousand dollars out of that and just had a wash on
the tax rate. I don't understand why you wouldn't? I guess I'd like an explanation when you get a
chance. The way I look at it is it is a well-run Town and I thank you for that. I mean, I really do
think it's a well-run Town, but when you take more money and you have it sitting around there I
get nervous, then at some point in time maybe the decision won't be quite as tough to make, the
should we do this or should we do that. Just last meeting we put another two million dollars into
the capital reserve fund... up over twenty million dollars. A thirty million dollar budget, you
could have twenty million dollars sitting around for emergencies and that seems to be zero stress
for sure. I don't know why you need less than zero stress. I don't have any time at all to go into
these numbers; there is probably a hundred pages here. Again, I don't know where those things
are on-line or how long they have been there or if they're on-line. Again, I think we should have
more time than just a couple minutes given to us here to examine this.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, thank you.
MR. WHITEHEAD- Can you answer some reasons why you'd want to raise something four
point six percent?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well four point six percent, let's put this in prospective. Alright,
four point six percent is six dollars and ninety-one cents for a house valued at two hundred and
fifty six dollars. The reason why we want to do that is we want to keep the Town and the budget
on an even keel. We want to keep strong; we want to keep getting zero fiscal stress like we have
done. We have done something similar. Not only that we have a tax cap so you have to take a
look in the long range and you want to try and keep the budget under the tax cap. I understand, I
get the tax cap, and I want to do whatever I can to keep it under the tax cap and still keep the
services that the people of Queensbury expect and enjoy. So when you talk about a four percent
increase, we're really talking about less than seven dollars for the average house in Queensbury.
So I don't think that is significant, and I think it's just part of good fiscal planning. Your other
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 766
question about the one point five million dollar capital reserve fund, I think that's good fiscal
planning. We have a garage that will cost us somewhere between three and four million dollars.
We've got building deferred maintenance that hasn't been done for fifteen years. They have to be
done. So I'd rather not borrow money, I'd rather use money in a sensible, planned fashion.
That's my perspective on that.
MR. WHITEHEAD- So again, you have nineteen million dollars in the GO totals and another
two million, one point nine million in the capital reserve. I agree that if we have buildings that
need to be rehabbed, they should be rehabbed and they should be replaced. Seems like the money
is there to do it, again, raising taxes four point six percent when it would have been so easy to
take that seventy-five thousand dollars away from the three hundred thousand dollars that you
upped everything else at a time when the auditors said you have zero physical stress. I mean
there is nothing less than zero, John.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That's right, but again, I'm planning for the future. You're talking
about something less than seven dollars and I'm planning, and I don't want to increase taxes in a
major way at any time in the future. If you plan for it, you won't have to go there. Now, if you
take a look at fund balances and things like that, you know to run a show, this show in GO for
three months is over four million dollars just to run it. So you need to have that cash flow. Not to
mention, unforeseen expenditures, which do occur; for example, you know a several hundred
thousand dollar failure of a culvert under Dixon Road. Those things occur. I have to be cash
ready to be able to deal with those in a quick, responsible way.
MR. WHITEHEAD- The auditor says you do, you have zero percent physical stress.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And that's exactly what I'm going to continue doing.
MR. WHITEHEAD- And you can continue that by still giving us the zero percent tax increase.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And not keep the level keel that I've been doing, Travis.
MR. WHITEHEAD- Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes. Yes, sir.
JIM MACKEY- I live part time, with pleasure, in the Town of Queensbury for a number of
years, and full time for about four years. Prior to that, I lived in the State of Florida. The last five
years that I lived in the State of Florida my real estate taxes went down. The people there were
not overly concerned with staying under the tax cap. You don't have to bump up against the tax
cap. Your priorities here, as I've heard tonight, your priorities are to keep the Town with zero
stress and keep money in reserve. Well, the people of this Town, many of them, are under a lot
more than zero stress, a lot more than zero stress. So I believe that your priorities are wrong.
Your priorities should not be to just come up and kiss the tax cap. They should be looking as
much in balance as the stress of the people in the Town as you are in preserving your good name
with zero stress. If you were a corporation, you'd be in big trouble. I have been in big
corporations all my life; I knew how to budget and how to cut. Sometimes I had to cut in a very
unfavorable way, which you folks don't know how to do that. As a result...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Some of us don't.
MR. MACKEY- As a result, you're coming up every year, your measurement is the tax cap and
your total stress is on zero stress for the Town, not the people of the Town. Thank you very
much. And I didn't mention any numbers, I'm talking philosophy.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, philosophically...
MR. MACKEY- No, I said philosophy...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, some go beyond philosophy. Some go to reality of the
numbers. There are...
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 767
MR. MACKEY- John, I know that you can give all the reasons in the world to support your
position. All the things you need...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, I think you'll find this Board...
MR. MACKEY- You can list them forever and I know you can. I'm not going to contest them.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay.
MR. MACKEY- The point is that you're not giving enough to the other side of the story. So, I
don't need to hear about all the needs and the garages and the paving of the parking lots and all
those things. I don't, okay. I'm looking for what are we doing for the people of the Town and
what is the real philosophy here. Thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, thank you. But, in terms, we aren't hugging the cap. As a
matter of fact, we're 159,000 under the cap. There are costs that we don't have any control over,
health insurance. They certainly go up more than we're raising this. You've got workmen
compensation. Now starting next year we're looking at reducing workmen comp. We've
imposed a safety program that should realize significant reductions in workmen comp. So next
year we're expecting this. Unless there's some major accidents that occur in the Town and we
don't get that. So we have imposed a very comprehensive safety program. Workers safety has
improved in the Town of Queensbury. Our workmen comp rates should go down. We've
increased efficiencies, we've outsourced it, we've outsourced our website, we've outsourced
animal control. Each of those have led to efficiencies and reduced expenditures. On the other
hand, you have deferred maintenance things. This building needs attention, for example. The
parking lot needs attention. The highway garage is way beyond repair. So I want to keep this
Town in good shape. I will continue, this Board will continue to work for additional efficiencies.
We are working with Accounting to try and reduce purchasing item costs; things that we all
purchase. We're trying to work on environmental things to do the positive things for the
environment. So you know, the picture is much broader than just coming up and giving a simple
philosophical statement. We realize that and I think that you would find this Board's
conservativeness approach to the budget.
MR. MACKEY- I agree...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Jim.
MR. MACKEY- You've done so many things that help. And I agree that...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- But, Jim...
MR. MACKEY- Regulating costs that you can't control. The bottom line is, find some places to
cut. Find some places...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, Jim...
MR. MACKEY- Give up on the zero stress.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Keep in mind...
MR. MACKEY- Help the people of the Town.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Since 2008 this Town has been cut deferred maintenance items...
MR. MACKEY- I know you do a wonderful job. Thank you, let's end it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, well I just think that you need to understand the broader,
bigger picture. Like I said, we're going to look for future efficiencies. We're looking to go to
LED lighting; we are looking for the HVA systems to become more efficient, only if it's cost
effective. We want to improve our building ... We've even outsourced the management of the
Activities Center.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 768
MR. MACKEY- I'd like to do all of those things in my own house but I can't afford it, neither
can you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- George.
GEORGE WINTERS- Just to talk of myself, my budget, what I have to work with, zero last year
I got. I'm going to get four dollars more in my pay this year, and that four dollars is going toward
what I need to do for my insurance. Say nothing about my health plan myself has that goes up.
Just like Jim said, you know, things out here we can't tax somebody else. What comes into my
house is the taxes I have to do with. The Town of Queensbury,just one question I'll ask you, two
years ago we went from eighty five percent to one hundred percent on the value of our houses, so
there's fifteen percent more.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No, that's not true, George. The tax rates get re-equalized with the
assessment of the homebuyers so it stays the same.
MR. WINTERS- It didn't stay the same for me because mine went up three hundred dollars.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, then your assessment went up, but the tax rate went down
at that time. About one third of homes, during a re-assessment, about one third of the homes will
see a decrease of taxes, one third will be the same and one third will see increases. That's the
general rule. You were on that one third.
MR. WINTERS- Yeah but overall you got more money than you had before.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER-No, the pot doesn't change, it's just how you allocate it, how it's
allocated amongst the residents. The money doesn't change. Just like he said, the one third and
the one third cancels each other out, it's just that the one third that was paying too little now is
paying their fair share; the one third that was paying too much is now paying their fair share.
MR. WINTERS- I haven't talked to too many that their taxes went down. I think there is a...just
like Jim said. I think there is a lot of places where you could cut.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We are cutting where we could cut.
MR. WINTERS- Yeah, but just take the leaf collection this year, right. Alright, it's in the paper
that there wasn't going to be no do-overs.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No, we always do over if we can.
MR. WINTERS- Yeah, but the paper said no do-overs from VanNess. So then we have this
storm that knocked down a lot of trees. So then he says you don't pick up the brush in the fall. I
dragged mine out to the back waiting for spring when he collects the brush. Then he says he says
he's not going to collect the brush, now he's going to collect it again. You know all that stuff,
and you've got the big trucks running around, going through my district, where I am. They've
been down my street down three times picking the leaves up with the garbage truck. Can you
imagine if they just pushed it back one week? They probably could have done it in maybe two,
but three times and there are leaves out there again now. They got to come through again.
Somebody ought to wake up and say hey...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- George...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Keep in mind, George, at one time the Town didn't pick those up.
MR. WINTERS- Alright, that's what I say...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I don't disagree with you, I think it's a ... shouldn't say it this way, but
I think...
MR. WINTERS- I asked the Board several times, open the dump up. Let me take my leaves to
the dump. Let me take care of my stuff Why collect all this stuff? Okay, thank you.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 769
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, thank you.
MR. WINTERS- I think there is a lot of places you can cut down and I wish you would take a
look at it.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I guess my argument to you there, George, is that you have these
men that we're paying anyway, might as well keep them busy as opposed to not doing anything.
MR. WINTERS- But if you can keep that big truck off the road.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Well what are they going to do, sit in the garage and wash it all
day, is that what you want them to do?
UNKNOWN- ...
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- That's what I'm saying, why would you have them here if they're
not doing anything.
UNKNOWN-...
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- What are you talking about? Why would you have guys sitting in
a garage all day long...?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, let's not argue...
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Doing nothing as opposed to out and fixing the Town, I don't get
it? I don't get that rationale.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I think you'd still need somebody to monitor if we open the dump up...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you, George.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We'd need somebody to monitor...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Anybody else like to speak? John.
JOHN SALVADOR- I have a question for the Town Clerk. Is this public hearing going to be a
matter of record?
ROSE MELLON, DEPUTY TOWN CLERK II- Yes.
MR. SALVADOR- Thank you. Listed in the Town of Queensbury General Operations, one of
the general operations in this Town is the support of Crandall Library. The Comptroller has told
you that. What you used to do is just leave that line in your budget blank, now you don't even
have the line in the Budget.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- John, you didn't see the court order today?
MR. SALVADOR- The court order, no.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Read the last paragraph.
MR. SALVADOR- No, I haven't seen it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Basically, we are pleased to report that the court has issued a
decision in the Town's favor adopting our legal arguments. The court has agreed with our
reasoning and expressly found that the law governing the Crandall Public Library District Taxing
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 770
Procedure imposes, quoting from the judge, no affirmative obligation upon Queensbury to
change the manner in which it posts its budget, and it goes on.
MR. SALVADOR- I'll get that. ... May repeal it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Fine. Yes.
RACHEL SEEBER- Thank you, Rachel Seeber, Queensbury. Just a point of clarification. When
was it, I'm sorry, can you not hear me? When it was put on the website for public notice?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, it was put on the website when we had the draft version of it
over a month ago.
MS. SEEBER- When you set the public hearing?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Was that under your Department, Barb?
BARBARA TIERNEY, BUDGET OFFICER- Pardon.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Was that available under your Department, the attachment?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- I sent it to the person that administers the website. It should be
under accounting documents.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Okay, it wasn't under Town Board Agenda or Packets.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- It was also, I think, a scroller, and it was on file, which is
required...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And a month ago we talked about the budget. We said it was readily
available for public review. So it's been so for more than a month.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Well, the Tentative was first and then came the Preliminary...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, so it's not like yesterday.
MS. SEEBER- I'm just asking, with these numbers here, once they were finalized when were
they provided to the public?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- A month ago.
MS. SEEBER- Okay, so nothing's changed when I go back and look...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Nothing significantly has changed.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- There might have been some slight changes from Tentative to
Preliminary.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- But nothing significant.
MS. SEEBER- Is there a document that says what those changes were?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- There is no document, there is the Tentative and there is the
Preliminary.
MS. SEEBER- So I would have to go through the whole budget to see the differences.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Yes.
MS. SEEBER- I just find it to be a very difficult process to determine what's changed. There
doesn't seem to be overview sheet. I think it's troubling that tonight this is presented and you're
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 771
going to vote on it in just a little bit. So there's not another opportunity for the public to ask any
questions on different line items?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No, I mean the budget, number one, did not have any significant
changes.
MS. SEEBER- Right, and John, all I would really need is a piece of paper showing...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And the budget has been available for a month or more.
MS. SEEBER- To be clear, there isn't a sheet that has the different changes. But I guess, then my
question is, where can I find the breakdown. For example, Town Justice or Town Supervisor,
when I look at the wages and I'm looking at the percentage of change, the Town Supervisor is up
by 7.3%. Some other line items, for example, there's one I just found as of 10/11 your
miscellaneous control under the general fund was only expended to fifteen hundred but there is a
11/5 projection, 11/5/2017 Preliminary...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- I can't follow you along on those numbers, I don't know
where you're looking?
MS. SEEBER- I guess what my main question is, where's the breakdown?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- The breakdown. Okay, so this is how this thing is built, the
front page is the summary sheet.
MS. SEEBER- Right, I saw that.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- After that, appropriation summary, which breaks it down
somewhat.
MS. SEEBER- Right.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- And then this spreadsheet gets generated by my accounting
software, which is basically the same information just more complicated.
MS. SEEBER- Okay. Where would I see then a breakdown that would make up, say, the Town
Supervisor wages, or the Town ... wages or the miscellaneous control under the general fund?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- That's not part of it. There is no schedule as far as if you are
looking for Barbara Tierney makes this much money...
MS. SEEBER- If you don't mind using yourself for an example. I can use Doug Irish; he's my
Ward III Supervisor.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Okay.
MS. SEEBER- So, I'm sure he wouldn't mind. But where would I find, in particular, I'm sure
this was a team effort, and all of you as Councilmen have put an effort into the budget. I'm just
wondering where the breakdown for, say, each one of your salaries might be, or the change that
would have happened. I mean, if this is up seven point three percent, why is it up seven point
three percent... you know it's forty-five thousand additional in expense; we're covering it with
seventy-five thousand additional. I'm just wondering, where is that breakdown for those ...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- The schedule is in my office.
MS. SEEBER- So, it's not available for the public or I'd have to know to ask?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- You'd have to ask.
MS. SEEBER- Okay. So I guess...
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 772
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- It's an aggregate.
MS. SEEBER- I'm just wondering how can we do perhaps a little more transparency or is that, it
really won't matter, you're going to vote on it here shortly, right?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Well, we have...what's the date it has to be adopted by? There's a date
set by the State right?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Thursday after the Election.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Thursday, so it's got to be done this week and we don't have another
meeting this week.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And it's been available for over a month.
MS. SEEBER- Again, John, you know, I think for anyone looking for a little light reading, it
certainly is an interesting read but why isn't that information available, the breakdown?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You can find that information out by asking that information. It's
not part of the budget but...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We have to do the same, Rachel, when we want to look into the
something, I have to call Barb and ask her and we spend some time on the phone going back and
forth about different items. I think it's more the budgeting software than anything else. It's not
that we want to be difficult, it's just the way the software is.
MS. SEEBER- I guess I'm just wondering in the future is there a way to do just an overall sheet
of what those changes are, both from the, you know, the Prelim or what the breakdown of the
wages, where you are looking at those increases. I mean even to have a miscellaneous control...
that supplies where on October 11th you expended fifteen hundred of it, but next year you are
allotting eleven thousand. To me, that tells me there's a lot of supply ordering going on at the
end of the year, but I can't be certain.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Again, I don't know where you're looking at so I can't give
you the back-up.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Is there the ability within that software to do a compare between
Tentative and Proposed or no, you would have to do it physically by looking at each...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- I'd have to physically look at it. If you want me to, I can look
into it with the software company but there will be a charge for them to make...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'm wondering if we just dump that into Excel and did a ...lookup for
something.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- No, it wants to be worked inside the software. We can play
with small reports but once you take a report of this many pages and try to maneuver it...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Maybe we can just contact them and see if that's available, if it is what
would be the charge to include that.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- It's pretty hefty last time I looked at a custom report. It was
close to five grand.
MS. SEEBER- Well, if there's not many changes, than perhaps it's just a matter of keeping track
of...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Oh, there is changes.
MS. SEEBER- Oh, I thought John said there were only a couple changes...
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 773
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Well, it's just this little tweaking thing that...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I said no significant changes.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Not significant...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It might be a lot of accounts but not a lot of money.
MS. SEEBER- Sure. I'm just uncomfortable not being able to know the breakdown of some of
these things to be able to look at...you're talking about the forty-five thousand increase, some of
these, like I said, particularly...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- the forty-five thousand or forty-five hundred?
MS. SEEBER- Forty-five thousand overall.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- In the Supervisor's Office?
MS. SEEBER-No, no, not in the Supervisor's Office.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I was going to say, who did you hire?
MS. SEEBER-No, but just like the expended of the twelve hundred when you've eleven point
five budgeted for next year. That would be in the interest of transparency, making it easier for
people to read the budget, that would be incredibly helpful.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Keep in mind, our budget is available year around.
MS. SEEBER- John, I understand that but I don't think there's anything wrong with doing a nice
little overview sheet or giving us the reason why you would put eleven thousand on a line and
spend twelve hundred.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, I don't even know what line you are talking about.
MS. SEEBER- Oh, I'm happy to provide it to you. It's under the general fund, forty-four
hundred miscellaneous...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- There are about twenty miscellaneous contractual lines in the
general fund. So I will need the account number.
MS. SEEBER- Like I said, it doesn't make much of a difference for tonight since you're going to
vote on it shortly, but in the future it would be great to be able to know those differences.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And in the future, start a little earlier.
MS. SEEBER- That would be wonderful. Thank you Supervisor Strough.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes, that would be wonderful, yeah. Thank you. Anybody else like
to speak to the budget? Seeing none, thoughts on behalf of the Town Board? I want to
congratulate our Budget Officer, Barbara Tierney. I think your work and your office; you have
done a stupendous job.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- This Board has given overview to the budget. I want to thank you
for your efforts there. It's a lot of work getting to this point. I think philosophically we are
conservative. Philosophically we want to stay on an even keel, philosophically we don't want
any large tax increases going on, philosophically we want to have the cash flow needed to make
the payments for things that we do know are coming in and things we don't know are coming in.
We've got a zero fiscal stress analysis, we get A ratings by our auditors so what this Board is
doing and what our Accounting Office is doing, we must be doing it right. So again, I want to
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 774
thank the Board and I want to thank Barbara Tierney and everybody in your office for helping
out.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- So, me first?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, go ahead.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I tend to agree with Jim and Travis to an extent with the... across thirty
million dollars I think the seventy-five thousand that we have... the difference between sixteen
and seventeen. I don't put a lot of stock in the State's budget cap because it's an arbitrary figure
made up by the governor to make everybody feel good. I think if you need to raise money to do
capital projects and do whatever you need to do within your town, you have to do that and that's
your responsibility as a Town Board Member to do that. I also think that in times of, I'm not
going to call in times of plenty, in times when you are being financially responsible in the Town,
which I believe we have, we've saved a couple hundred thousand through different projects that
we've done this year. I think that we have the ability to get rid of that seventy-five thousand
dollar difference between sixteen and seventeen within this budget this year, and that would be
my preference before we pass this. I would also note that within a couple of more services
outsourced here we have the ability to save another couple hundred, four or five thousand, or a
couple hundred thousand dollars. Maybe four hundred thousand dollars through 2017 or after
2017 and we'll continue to have those discussions. If this were seven hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, I don't think I would be making this proposal, but I think that we should find a way to
eliminate that seventy-five thousand from the difference.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- And I understand not wanting to raise taxes and it's always difficult to
go to the taxpayer and say, listen we were flat last year but now we've got problems, we need a
new water main, or we need a new building or whatever, now we've got to raise your taxes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, there's also more reasons for it. It's so we don't significantly
raise taxes in the future you plan for the future. It's politically convenient to say oh I think we
ought to chop here and we ought to chop there this year; but I've been through that. It makes it
more difficult the next year, it makes it more difficult the year after that. So what we're trying to
do is present something that is a soft approach but a steady approach.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- And I also would agree with some of the comments about
miscellaneous contractual. I know there are a lot of departments with that in their budget item,
and I know Bill and I had some concerns last year about a lot of that money that was set aside,
anticipated to be spent, and you know, we bought some equipment at the end of the year. We
seem to be doing the same thing this year with Highway and with Recreation. That's okay
because I know it hasn't been done in the past and we're trying to catch up on things that were
left open, but there's a lot of money set aside in our budget every year for miscellaneous
contractual and that money seems to wait until the end of the year to get spent. Again, I believe
there's enough money within those funds to offset that seventy-five thousand.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Let me assure you, there's nobody in our Town who is wastefully
sending money.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I didn't say anybody was wasting anything.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, like I said, the way we presented the budget keeps us on an
even keel with a minimum of increase. It helps to provide a sound jumping post for next year. If
you cut that than next year... have you even done a cap formula?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I used to handle a seventeen million dollar budget for my department.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Have you ever done the cap formula for the State?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- No.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 775
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, because that involves carry-overs, it involves, you know,
your current expenditures.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I also did say that I'm not concerned with the State cap because it's an
arbitrary figure.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I know it but I believe there's a value to the State cap and I want to
stay under it and you have to do long range planning to do so.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- The tax cap needs to be filed prior to budget adoption so this
budget has been filed...
TOWN COUNSEL, ROBERT HAFNER- It hasn't been approved.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- It hasn't been approved, it has to be filed prior to approval,
don't ask me why.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- So, are you telling me we can't change this budget?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- You can change.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Okay, alright, don't scare me like that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- But, do you recommend changing the budget?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- That's up to the Board.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- The Town of Queensbury is highly relying on revenue that
comes outside of the Town's purview. You have no control over what sales tax does. In my ten
years here, I've seen sales tax dump as much as two, two and a half million dollars. If that two
and a half million dollars goes away in an unforeseen slump in 2017, you have to have the ability
to make up that short fall very quickly somehow. There would be measures that could be taken to
cut certain services to save some money, but generally this happens as quickly as it did in the last
recession, there would be two million dollars less in sales tax, and then you have to make that up
with the tax.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And then you've got possibly up to a four million dollar building
from the Highway Garage. I would like to not borrow money for that. I would like to pay for as
much of it up front. So, if it looks politically expedient, cut seventy-five thousand dollars, you're
going to catch...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I don't think it has anything to do with politics, John, I think it's just
being fiscally responsible...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, if you're fiscally responsible, than you plan for the future.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We have millions of dollars in the bank, seventy-five thousand dollars,
again, if it were seven hundred and fifty grand and we had to worry about not getting two million
dollars in sales tax, I'd worry about it, seventy-five grand I can find in five minutes in that
budget and you'll never see it at the end of 2017.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, part of it is just a carry over for next year so that the process
as we go into taking care of these deferred maintenance items goes a little bit smoother. That's
the whole thinking here. I mean it's really cool to say let's cut the budget, and we can do this and
do that.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Well, I would say...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- ...a long term planning, I think it's irresponsible.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 776
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Well, I would say that had this happened the way it occurred in prior
years when I was on the Board where the Supervisor actually had the Town Board at the table
when he was negotiating the budget, we would have had this discussion then instead of tonight.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- When was that?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Fred Champagne invited every Board Member in and sat with every
Department Head...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I've been here thirteen years, Doug.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- and discussed every budget and we said yes or no to the budget request
at that point.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Not only that, a month ago you had this budget.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Okay.
UNKNOWN- Spoke from audience.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You know, a month ago you could have pled your case, not at the
last minute.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Oh, I still have the opportunity to plead my case.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Sure you do.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I mean, we still need to vote.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I just don't think...I think what we're offering is a safe, valid, solid
budget.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS-... this year, or last year that we didn't think we were going to do
and I think probably we could look ahead to cutting some other things next year. So I kind of
think that I might go along with Doug in saying we ought to be able to do that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Tony.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I don't think it's a great idea, I think we need to plan for the
future. I mean you sat on this Board, John, and I did in 2008, 9 and 10 and didn't have any
money to spend on anything. Look at the roads and how bad they were. We're finally, finally,
finally catching up with some of this stuff and finally getting some trucks, and finally getting
roads repaired. We're in a good place. I think we need to plan for the future. I think seven dollars
per household is not a big number. I know its seventy-five thousand dollars, I get that. But, we're
in a position where we can do this. You have no idea what's going to happen on Wednesday. We
could enter into a recession we've never seen before. We need to plan for the future. I mean you
really, really have to think about this, that seven dollars a household...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It's incremental, Tony. Its seven dollars this year, its seven dollars next
year, its seven dollars the year after.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Well, maybe next year when we do the budget process we can
think about this conversation we're having tonight and say alright, we have seventy-five
thousand dollars let's cut back next year, if we can. We don't know what the future's going to
hold.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And if we realize the efficiencies of...with this year, Doug, we
might be able to get there. But, the thing about it is, right now this is a good solid plan, it's a
good solid plan moving forward.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 777
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I get your point, but I just think, you know, I just think we need to
plan a little bit better, I really do. I'm sorry to Jim, I understand your point but I just don't agree
with it. My apologies, but I just don't.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So, and moving forward we do plan on adding more efficiencies,
but as we make the payments on deferred maintenance and fixing these buildings up and buying
vehicles that haven't been bought in fifteen years. We need a breather, this is nothing
exceptional, like you said, Tony said it's seven dollars a household. I don't think anybody in the
public is going to get...I think what they want, they want predictability. They want to know that
next year, because we cut seventy-five thousand dollars out the next year we going to have to
increase it even more.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I don't think that's the only two options you have. I disagree with that
premise.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You are ...over seventy-five thousand dollars in a thirty million
dollar budget.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I know but I...I guess I could reverse that and say why do we go...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You know a week ago you could have said that too.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I've been offered a way to save eight hundred thousand dollars a year
and nobody wants to move forward with it, so I'd be more than happy to accept this budget if I
got a commitment to do that.
UNKNOWN- Speaking from the audience.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Oh, I'm sorry. I'll say what I said. I said we have a vote here
tonight it looks like it's going to be a split vote anyway.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So, do you want to go ahead and vote on it?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'd like to propose a different motion. We can vote on that and then
vote on if you guys want to straight up vote on the budget; we can do it either way.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, it' looks like it's going to be 2-2 vote, Doug. I think it's a
reasonable budget.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I think it's reasonable to say let's keep the budget flat. I mean again,
when I look through miscellaneous contractual, you know if we can't knock ten percent out of
everybody's department on that line alone...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- If you have it, you know. We've asked them to be very
conservative.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- John, we just moved one point nine million dollars in the capital
reserve. Take seventy-five grand out of that and put it back in the General Fund.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- How much Capital Reserve expenses do we have?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I understand how that works and I agree with you we need to have
equipment, we need to take care of the buildings, and you know, we don't want anybody getting
hurt, stuff falling down on them but you know, what's that one percent...
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- I'll make a motion to amend it...vote again after words on the
budget as it is.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I don't have any problem with that.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Someone's got to move.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 778
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'll move that we amend the budget to keep it flat with 2016.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Wait, time out, can you speak?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- A way out of this without having to recalculate or try...you
could use the fund balance. You could use seventy-five thousand from the General fund to the
Fund Balance, which would keep taxes. I can't promise that it will stay exactly level because the
assessments have changed since last year.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Sure.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- But if you would use Fund Balance you're not compromising
the budget or the tax rate but you would compromise so to speak the tax rate.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Would you agree to that?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- If it cures this one point zero two nine, I have no problem with that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- One point zero two nine?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- The difference between sixteen and seventeen.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- Gotcha. So what I would suggest is you amend the budget by
increasing the use of Fund Balance in the General Fund by seventy-five thousand, seven hundred
and forty six dollars.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Can you write that up, Bob? That's my motion, what Barb said.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- With the following modifications: that fund balance shall be
used from the General Fund to... where does it go?
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- To stabilize tax levy slash tax...
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- To stabilize tax rate.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- I can't guarantee that it will be zero.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Because we're decreasing Fund Balance and...
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY-And increasing...
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Okay.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- By up to seventy-five, seven forty-six. I say up to because I
might not need all of it.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- That works.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Then you will have to recalculate the tax rate based on a seventy-
five thousand dollar less budget.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- No, the budget remains the same.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- The amount to be made up by...
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- So if you're going to spend the same amount, you're going to
have less Fund Balance at the end of the year assuming the budget is what happens next year.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 779
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Right.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Okay.
BUDGET OFFICER, TIERNEY- So, I'll have to get with the Comptroller and recalculate.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- And I think we should add that we should direct the Supervisor
and Budget Officer to make the changes necessary action to effectuate that.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Right.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Town Supervisor because you're Chief Fiscal Officer, and the
Budget Officer...are authorized to take all necessary to affect this resolution. That will let you
guys fill the paperwork, file with the State Comptroller and do whatever else. Does that make
sense?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- That's your proposal.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- That's my motion.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- That's your motion up first.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- I'll second it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Motion made by Councilman Irish, seconded by Councilman
Clements. Closed the public hearing.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ANNUAL TOWN BUDGET FOR 2017
RESOLUTION NO.: 357,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board conducted a public hearing on Monday,November 7"
2016 concerning the proposed 2017 Preliminary Budget and all interested persons were heard, and
WHEREAS, the proposed 2017 Preliminary Budget sets forth the proposed 2017 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 2017
salaries for the Town of Queensbury Elected Officials shall be as follows:
TOWN SUPERVISOR 67,276.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 780
TOWN COUNCILPERSON(4) 18,000.
TOWN CLERK 67,791.
TOWN HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT 68,524.
TOWN JUSTICES(2) 43,841.
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby adopts the 2017 Preliminary Budget presented at this
meeting as the Town of Queensbury Annual Budget for 2017 with the following modifications: that Fund
Balance shall be used from the General Fund to stabilize the tax rate by up to $75,746.00, 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
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that a copy of the adopted Annual Budget for 2017, including a copy of the 5495
Exemption Impact Report, is attached and made part of this Resolution, 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, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor and Town
Budget Officer to take all actions necessary to effect this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier,Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
PUBLIC HEARING- LOCAL LAW LIMITING CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF TOWN
BOARD MEMBERS AND TOWN SUPERVISOR
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 24, 2016
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 781
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- This is Brian Clement's proposal to set term limits at twelve years,
regardless of terms. Once a public official on this Board hits a twelve year term, when is that
going to be for you Tony? Consecutive.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Three more years. Although, the... question...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It's not retroactive.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Where does it say that.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Oh, so I can actually serve like fifteen more years.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- ...it doesn't say it now.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Who wrote it?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I didn't.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- So what happens if I live in Ward 1 and in ten years I move to
Ward 2 and run against Brian?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It's a different seat.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You can start over.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- No, no, the positions are Town Councilperson or Town
Supervisor. That's how it's written. There's two positions.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- That's right.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- You three and Bill are in one position. If you move throughout
the Town you're still in that position according to how you asked us to draft it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, thank you for clarifying that.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Supervisor's different.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Now the way it's written though, it's effective the moment it passes
right?
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- Right.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So...
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- It's not future service, it includes your past.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We can modify that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Any Town Board, that's the problem with this. Any Town Board in
the future can undo this as quick as it was made. There's nothing binding any future Town Board
to this.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- There's nothing binding anything we do.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I don't have any problem with it. It's not going to affect me.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- It's not going to affect me either because I will be out of here
before twelve years.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Well, I'm guessing I'm in the same boat.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 782
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- But, it may affect Tony.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I doubt it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You've got three more years.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Yeah, it's easy.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Unless you want to put wording in it that it's only effective for
terms beginning next year or something.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I would start with the next election and make it clean.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- I think so too because we've got another year before...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- We're in the middle of a term. You don't want somebody terming out
in the middle of a term.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- So it doesn't apply to the people currently in office?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- It will apply to the next election...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Can you add that, Bob?
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- I certainly can.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, while he is working on that thought let me open the public
hearing, okay; unless the Board wants to say something first? Anybody like to speak to this
resolution? I'm going to open up the public hearing. It's limiting consecutive terms of Town
Board Members and Town Supervisor to twelve years and we're going to amend it maybe if the
public likes the amendment. Maybe you'll like the way it's written now. We'll hear from you.
Town Counsel is working on making it effective for next term and beyond, not current Council
Members. Alright, your thoughts...George.
GEORGE WINTERS- Is this going to be on the ballot tomorrow?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- You're talking about length of term. That's...
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- That's a good question though.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Two to four years is tomorrow.
MR. WINTERS- My belief on this is if we get a good man in there, why kick him out of office.
He runs for office and if the guy likes him. Lake George, you give that example before.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Betty Little is a great representative...
MR. WINTERS- ...All the time.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Bob Blais, a great representative...I know.
MR. WINTERS- I'm not in favor of it, thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Rachel.
RACHEL SEEBER- With all due respect to your comments, I would just amend it to say good
man or a good woman, right.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I mentioned Betty Little.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 783
MS. SEEBER- I wanted to applaud Councilman Clements. I really appreciate the fact that you
work so hard to make sure that this got before the Board tonight. I know you really spear headed
that. It certainly...support from some of your Councilman. I would, of course, be more
comfortable seeing an eight year term limit, but I'm not going to complain over the twelve.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- The Post Star would too.
MS. SEEBER- But I think there's been a lot of mixed reviews and a lot of people have questions
and they're a little confused about what they're seeing tomorrow on the ballot verses the term
limits; again, something that would have been great to have had a few months ago. But, I know
that it took a lot of time to get it to this point, and I certainly appreciate that. I'm a big believer in
term limits. I do believe that it allows for change, it allows for new ideas. Again, it's not
something where someone could run, they could leave for a couple of years and they certainly
could come back. So we're not talking about exclusive term limit like that. I do agree that it
should be effective now moving forward so that you don't get too tangled up into some of the
issues Glens Falls has had and some other places for term limits. But, we're not new to term
limits locally. I will remind you that Glens Falls has term limits as well. It certainly has been
done locally. We've had great elected officials and we've had others that perhaps term limits
would have been incredibly useful for. I appreciate these efforts and just wanted to publicly
thank you, Brian, for your efforts for this, regardless of how it turns out.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, thank you.
DAVID STRAINER- Okay, now I'm confused. Tomorrow on the ballot will be to go for
councilmen from two to four years?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Length of term.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Length of term.
MR. STRAINER- And that won't occur until the next election?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Yep.
MR. STRAINER- And the term limit is not on the ballot for tomorrow.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Correct.
MR. STRAINER- The terms for the Highway Superintendent and Clerk to go from two to four
years will be on the ballot tomorrow?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Correct.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Separate. It's separate than the Town Board.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Separate from the Town Board.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, it's a separate...there's three referendum items. One is to
extend Town Councilmen terms from two to four,not Town Supervisor,just Town Councilmen.
MR. STRAINER- That I understood.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And the Highway Superintendent and the Town Clerk from two to
four. They're separate referendum items. The third referendum item is the Library, which is not
part of the budget.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- And the reason that the Supervisor is not on it is there is a State law
that requires any change in term is done in an odd year election or off year election, I forget the
terminology.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- It's done differently.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 784
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Yeah, it's done differently. So our effort would be for all of them to
have the same four year term at some point.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- And for us to split it, we actually did that so that the public
would have more of an option on what they would like to do. They may want to have one and
not the other or have both.
MR. STRAINER- That's fine and I do agree with a little bit of what Rachel said. I wish we could
have gotten this out a little sooner. I would like to know why some governments do it differently
than we're doing it, what the reasoning is. I have some questions on that. I agree with what,
surprisingly Mr. Winters, we agreed on that part. We agreed with you on the term limits. But, let
me first start with the Town Highway Superintendent and the Clerk. Personally, I feel they
shouldn't even be elected positions. These are positions that are extremely important to
everybody in the Town and I've seen where it's gotten political. Let me tell you, I could run not
knowing a stinking thing about doing anything with the Town roads and I could possibly win.
Where does that help the constituency? So I don't ever understand why that was an elected
position. I guess it's maybe a power based thing.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- No, it's based on the size of your Town. We're at Town population
now, I believe, that that could be an appointed position.
MR. STRAINER- Why is the County an appointed position?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- That's a different position.
MR. STRAINER-Well okay, so again those are my... also the Clerk, I think the Clerk is a very
important position. I will go back to when Pam Vogel ran for County Clerk. Carol Clark was
retiring, she wanted Pam to be the next Clerk, the Republican Committee didn't see it that way.
So Pam ran a primary. The opponent they choose for her at the debate, the first question that was
asked was what records do we keep at the County. Her opponent said I defer that to my
opponent. He didn't even know any of the records that were kept at the County. He couldn't
even answer that question. So to me that sounds pretty poor that we can let somebody who
doesn't even know what records we keep at the County. That's the other reason why I don't like
the Clerk to be an elected position. As for changing the Council People from two to four years, I
like the two years. In the wards it's not as difficult to run as it is for the Town Supervisor who is
Town wide. If you get someone who is not quite constituent friendly or conservative enough for
people, you still have that option, and two years isn't that difficult to run every two years, trust
me I know. I know way better than any of you. As for, again, I'll go with what John said, term
limits. The term limits, if you get a good person in these positions why would you want to get rid
of them? I don't like...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- They only have to take one term off, Dave. They can come back and
run again.
MR. STRAINER- That's true but what could happen in that one term?
COUNCILMAN IRISH- You might find somebody you like better.
MR. STRAINER- And you might find yourself at the gates too, but...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Than you have the opportunity to get rid of them.
MR. STRAINER- You never know. So I take what John said about Mayor Blais. He's been there
forty years. I don't think the people of Lake George want to get rid of him to this day, but you
know, age and time and he wants to get out, you know. So twelve years, and again, I don't like
the term that they use for you as politicians. I believe you are public servants, I've always
believed that. I think a politician is just what you think, someone that just kind of skated through
and tells you what you want to hear and never does anything that they say they are going to do.
Twelve years, I don't know of anybody on our Town that's ever going to come close to that
except Tony is close.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 785
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Betty Monahan, Ted Turner.
MR. STRAINER- Well Betty and Ted were both very good representatives.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'm just saying, you said you don't know anybody.
MR. STRAINER- No...
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Not that they weren't but that's your opinion.
MR. STRAINER- Well, that's true, it is my opinion, and many other peoples opinion. But, I
don't know if they ever made the twelve years, and Timmy Brewer, he was close. Again, I've
agreed and disagreed with a lot of things from all of them but I always felt they had our best
interest at heart and I always saw them at all the meetings. They didn't miss anything. Did I
agree with them all of the time, no, did we agree with any of us all of the time, no. So again, I
think we are creating a problem that's not here.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'll disagree with you on this point. My opinion is that you have to start
somewhere. Everybody says, and this relates to all of our elections; when you start looking at
State and Federal, all of our elections, if you don't start somewhere, nobody will start. I asked
Chris Gibson when he came in front of us for an endorsement if he was willing to forgo earmarks
in his district and his response was no because if I don't take that money it will go somewhere
else. I want everybody to stop taking that money. I want everybody to say we need to look
at...you can't tell me after this election cycle that we have a great congress and administration in
DC. My opinion is that somebody has to start somewhere and I'm willing to say I think it should
be us; maybe nobody will take the bait and do the same thing. But, you look at Dean Skellos,
Shelly Silver, all the guys that have been down in Albany for all these years and the longer
they're there the opportunity to breed corruption, and I don't care if we're talking about the local
level here, at the State level or the Federal level, it's more prevalent the longer you're in office.
MR. STRAINER- Well, I've always believed that honor is glory. So you know I don't see it
quite so much at the local level. I do see, you know you do get stuck with one party. One party is
constantly is...in charge. There's issues that could be a problem.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well, that's a problem..
COUNCILMAN IRISH- John hasn't found that to be true either.
MR. STRAINER- And I've got to be honest with you, I was sorry to see that Chris Gibson
termed himself out. He could have stayed and it's just sad to lose a representative like Chris
Gibson, you know and I'm a democrat. So you know for me that's...I can easily cross party lines
for Chris Gibson because I felt that he had the best interest in mind of all of our constituents.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I love Chris.
MR. STRAINER- But we're losing him.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I just didn't like that answer.
MR. STRAINER- Well you know, I'm not overly fond of it either, you know but I always felt
that you got to do what's best for everybody and some people don't agree with everything as in
the budget tonight.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Yeah.
MR. STRAINER- So you know, you make your way. I don't see term limits...we've never had a
problem with it. It won't be a problem now. I look at you four tonight, and Billy's not here. But
I've watched how all of you have progressed. You didn't start by coming in saying hey I want to
be the Town Supervisor and I'm going to bang the gavel. You all started at the Zoning or
Planning levels so that you had quite a bit of experience in what you're going to face each time
you come here. Who knows what we can get, you know, you can get someone who knows
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 786
nothing of zoning, knows nothing of planning, knows nothing of how the Town's run and they
can take a seat because a guy got termed out and nobody wants to run. Is anything perfect, no but
I think we're creating a problem that we don't have.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I don't think we've had an election where you couldn't find somebody
that wanted to run.
MR. STRAINER- Well...yeah.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I said it before, I'm not opposed to term limits. I think that us
setting term limits, there's no pain to it.
MR. STRAINER- I just don't think it's ever been a problem here and I don't think that's going
to change the way the Town runs, that's going to change the way I get up in the morning. I just
don't see that as being a huge issue. As of what you were discussing tonight with the budget, you
know, I'd rather see you spend more time with that than worrying about if Tony's done who we
going to get next for him.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- He didn't mean to pick on you, Tony.
MR. STRAINER- Now that we've got him halfway out the door.
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- We're restarting the numbers.
MR. STRAINER- Well again, you take this term limit. So okay, Tony terms out at twelve years
and then he runs for Supervisor. He can run for Supervisor for twelve years and then he can
come back and run for Councilman. He's still going to be here, as long as the good Lord and the
people of the Town are willing to have him. So I don't see where this...
COUNCILMAN IRISH- What's wrong with that though?
MR. STRAINER- I don't have a problem with it, you know, I think all of you do a pretty decent
job. We don't always agree, we're never always going to agree. That's just the nature of the
beast. I just really hate to see you lose a very good person who has done well because he has to
term out and he doesn't want to be a Supervisor.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- But here's the thing, Dave.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- I want to thank you for your support.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- If you've got a very good person up here, and the twelve year term
limit is coming the Town Board can just undo it.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Correct.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I mean it's that simple.
MR. STRAINER- Why are we doing it?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I think it's a feel good thing.
MR. STRAINER- Seriously if I could of...I understand the City does things...
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It's a solution looking for a problem.
MR. STRAINER- ...two terms, but then you can be the at large for two years or two terms.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- After you are on here for several years you get to know
contractor, people that are lobbying.
MR. STRAINER- But would you do that?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 787
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- That doesn't mean...no I wouldn't. But that doesn't mean
somebody else might come in after me and have better ideas than I have.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- ...
MR. STRAINER- Well and I understand the new ideas, but you know people can come here
with new ideas. This Town has been very receptive to listening to people come up to this
microphone.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Sure, as a matter of fact we did tonight because we changed
something tonight.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And you know what...
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- But I bet you remember a time when there was a Board up here
that argued and would have a very hard time with that, a few years back.
MR. STRAINER- Well that's fine to say but let's put what was the issue. First let's take the
issue...yes you can have that, I understand that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And Betty Little and Bob Blais still come up with very fresh, new
ideas.
MR. STRAINER- Well it's true.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Even though they've been forty years. As a matter of fact, they
have...
MR. STRAINER- I just don't see a problem here and that's pretty much what I...I really wish
we had some kind of round tables where we could understand why different municipalities do
different things.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Dave, we've been talking about this for several months, it's been in the
press.
MR. STRAINER- I knew about it, that's why I'm here.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- Okay, alright.
MR. STRAINER- I even wrote a letter hoping we'd get more people and more opinions and we
got three tonight and that's pretty good in a room of twelve people, I guess.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I did hear from Bill VanNess here today, he supports twelve years, so
anybody wonder where he's at, I can show you the text.
MR. STRAINER- Yeah, that's good.
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I just don't want anybody to think that Billy is out of Town because he
doesn't want to vote on it.
MR. STRAINER- We know why he's in Florida.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright thanks. Anybody else like to speak to consecutive term
limits? Okay, seeing none, what did you manufacture there, Bob?
TOWN COUNSEL, HAFNER- I have a sentence that I think says what you want it to say. The
calculation of such twelve year limit of consecutive service shall begin with starting after the
General Election to be held in November 2017.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, do you want to put that motion forward as amended.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 788
UNKNOWN- Yep.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Or is it, I mean Brian; you want to put that motion forward as
amended.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS- Certainly.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, a motion made by Councilman Clements.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I'll second it. I just have to say I joke around about the next three
years, but I do enjoy what I do, I love the Town.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yes.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I shouldn't be that flippant about it because if I could stay on for
another twenty years I might just do it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- But, yes I will second it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING LOCAL LAW NO. 8 OF 2016 LIMITING
CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF TOWN BOARD MEMBERS
AND TOWN SUPERVISOR
RESOLUTION NO.: 358,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Anthony Metivier
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to consider adoption of Local Law No.: 8 of 2016
to limit the number of consecutive years which may be served by a Town Councilperson and by a Town
Supervisor, and
WHEREAS, this legislation is authorized in accordance with New York Municipal Home Rule Law
§10, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly held a Public Hearing on the proposed Local Law on Monday,
November 7"',2016 and heard all interested persons,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby adopts Local Law No. 8 of 2016 as amended
and presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 789
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to file the Local
Law with the New York Secretary of State in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Home Rule
Law and acknowledges that the Local Law will take effect immediately upon filing by the Secretary of State.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November 2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr.Metivier,Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY
LOCAL LAW NO. 8, 2016
A LOCAL LAW LIMITING YEARS OF CONSECUTIVE SERVICE OF
TOWN COUNCILPERSONS AND TOWN SUPERVISOR
Be it Enacted by the Queensbury Town Board as Follows:
Section 1. Policy, Authority — It is hereby declared to be the public policy of the Town of
Queensbury to limit to not more than twelve (12) consecutive years the time elected officials can
serve as Town Councilperson or Town Supervisor so that elected representatives are "citizen
representatives"who are responsive to the needs of the people and are not career politicians. It is
adopted pursuant to New York Municipal Home Rule Law Section 10.
Section 2. Limitations on Terms of Office — Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
contained in this Code, no person shall be eligible to be elected to or serve in the office of Town
Councilperson or Town Supervisor if that person had previously held such office for twelve (12)
consecutive years, unless one full term or more has elapsed since that person last held such
office. The service of twelve (12) years in one of the two positions shall not prohibit immediate
subsequent service in the other position. The calculation of such twelve (12) year limit on
consecutive service shall begin with terms starting after the general election to be held in
November, 2017.
Section 3. Repealer; Supersession — All Local Laws or Ordinances or parts of Local Laws or
Ordinances in conflict with any part of this Local law are hereby repealed.
Section 4. Severability — The invalidity of any clause, sentence, paragraph or provision of this
Local Law shall not invalidate any other clause, sentence, paragraph or part thereof.
Section 5. Effective Date — This Local Law shall take effect upon filing by the office of the
New York Secretary of State.
3.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR FOR RESOLUTIONS ONLY (LIMIT- 3
MINUTES)
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 790
JOHN SALVADOR- Spoke to the Board regarding Resolution 4.1, entitled Resolution
Establishing Certain Specification for Queensbury Wastewater Department.
4.0 RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING CERTAIN SPECIFICATIONS FOR
QUEENSBURY WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 359,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Director of Wastewater wishes to establish certain
Departmental Specifications for Grinder Pump Stations and Pressure Lateral Sewer Pipe and Fittings as
presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the Director of Wastewater to
establish the Department's Standard Specifications for Grinder Pump Stations and Pressure Lateral Sewer
Pipe and Fittings substantially in the form presented at this meeting and further authorizes and directs the
Director of Wastewater to distribute the new Specifications as needed and take any actions necessary to
effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7"'day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROMOTION OF FRANCES COLVIN
FROM CLEANER TO LABORER IN
BUILDING AND GROUNDS DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 360,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Facilities Manager has advised that there is currently a
vacancy in the Laborer position in the Building and Grounds Department, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 791
WHEREAS, consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Facilities Manager posted for
such position, and
WHEREAS, Frances Colvin, a current full-time Cleaner within the Department, has requested a
promotion to the position, and
WHEREAS, the Facilities Manager recommends that the Town Board authorize the promotion of
Ms. Colvin from Cleaner to Laborer as Ms. Colvin has the required job experience for the position, 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
Frances Colvin from Cleaner to Laborer in the Town's Building and Grounds Department effective on or
about November 8"', 2016 at the rate of pay specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the
Town and CSEA for the Laborer position, subject to a ninety (90) day probationary period and any other
applicable Civil Service requirements, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Facilities
Manager and/or Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action necessary to effectuate the terms
of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY SERVICE
AGENCY AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY & KEENA
FOR TEMPORARY LABORER IN BUILDING & GROUNDS DEPT.
RESOLUTION NO.: 361,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 792
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 227,2016, the Queensbury Town Board authorized a Temporary
Service Agency Agreement(Agreement)with KEENA providing for the employment of a temporary laborer
to work for the Department of Building and Grounds from on or about July 7`h, 2016 through approximately
October 8`h, 2016 while probation periods for certain employees within such Department were satisfactorily
completed, and
WHEREAS, upon the recommendation of the Facilities Manager, the Town Board wishes to
authorize the extension of such Agreement to provide for the continued employment of a temporary laborer
to work for the Department of Building and Grounds while a probation period is settled for Frances Colvin,
who by prior Resolution was promoted to the position of Laborer, from on or about November 8`h, 2016
through approximately February 8`h, 2017 or until such time as the probationary period for Ms. Colvin is
completed satisfactorily,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes an extension of the Temporary
Service Agency Agreement with KEENA authorized by Resolution No.: 227,2016 providing for the hiring of
a temporary laborer to work for the Department of Building and Grounds, from on or about November 8th
2016 through approximately February 8`h, 2017 or until such time as the probationary period for Francis
Colvin is satisfactorily completed, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that payment for such temporary employment services shall be paid by the Town of
Queensbury directly to Keena from the appropriate account as determined by the Town Budget Officer, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute
any Agreement or documentation needed to extend the Temporary Service Agency Agreement and any other
needed documentation and the Town Supervisor, Facilities Manager and/or Budget Officer to take any action
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7th day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.Vanness
RESOLUTION RECLASSIFYING CERTAIN EMPLOYEES DUE TO FLSA
CHANGES EFFECTIVE 12/1/2016
RESOLUTION NO.: 362,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 793
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Fair Labor Standards Act has been amended effective December 1, 2016 to
change the minimum salary of employees who may be designated exempt by the Town of Queensbury to
$913 per week/ $47,476 per year, and
WHEREAS certain employees are now eligible to receive overtime pay, and
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to change the employment status of employees
Jennifer Baertschi France, Gary Crossman, Mark Demers and Victoria LaMarque to overtime-
eligible/non-exempt due to these changes in federal law,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that Town of Queensbury employees Jennifer Baertschi France, Gary Crossman,
Mark Demers and Victoria LaMarque are reclassified as overtime-eligible/non-exempt, effective
December 1, 2016, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that such employees may carry over 2016 vacation time through December 31,
2017, after which time, vacation time carryover shall be controlled by the provisions of the Town of
Queensbury Employee Handbook, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor and/or Town
Budget Officer to take any actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November, 2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr. VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ATV FOR USE BY
PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 363,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 794
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Director
have advised the Town Board that they wish to replace the Parks and Recreation Department's 15 year old
Arctic Cat ATV, and
WHEREAS, the Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Director received two (2) quotes
for a replacement ATV and the lowest received quote is in the amount of$6,707, and
WHEREAS, the Recreation Commission and Parks and Recreation Director have requested Town
Board approval for such purchase,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves of the Town Parks and Recreation
Department's purchase of a 2016 Arctic Cat 450 ATV from Pilot Knob Marina for an amount not to exceed
$6,707 to be paid for from Parks and Recreation Equipment Account No.: 001-7110-2001, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer to amend the
2016 Town Budget by transferring $6,707 from Contingency Account No.: 001-1990-4400 to Parks and
Recreation Equipment Account No.: 001-7110-2001 and/or take any other actions as may be necessary to
provide for payment, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Parks and
Recreation Director 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 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE OF ONE TON
REPLACEMENT TRUCK FOR PARKS & RECREATION DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 364,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 795
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Director of Parks and Recreation and Recreation
Commission wish to purchase a new one ton truck to replace a truck in the Parks and Recreation Department,
and
WHEREAS, the New York State Legislature adopted legislation allowing any political subdivision
in New York State to"piggyback"off an existing County Bid, and
WHEREAS,the Director of Parks and Recreation and Recreation Commission have requested Town
Board approval to purchase a one (1) ton cab and chassis in this instance by the Town of Queensbury
"piggybacking"with Onondaga County Bid 97974 for a 2017 Ford F-350, and
WHEREAS,the Town will adhere to all New York State Law bidding requirements, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves of the Town's Director of Parks
and Recreation and Recreation Commission's purchase of a 2017 Ford F-350 for an amount not to exceed
$30,800 from Van Bortel and approves of an amount not to exceed $9,000 from Arrowhead Equipment for
miscellaneous work needed to make it Department ready, i.e., installation of a dump body and wiring for
plow/sander attachments,to be funded from Misc. Equipment Account No.: 195-1640-2020, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Director of
Parks and Recreation and/or Budget Officer to take such other and further action as may be necessary to
effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF CAPITAL
PROJECT FUND #213 - FLEET MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION
RESOLUTION NO.: 365,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury wishes to establish a Capital Project that will provide for
fleet and asset implementation and management, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 796
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to establish a Capital Project Fund related to such Project
and establish and fund the Revenue and Expense Accounts for the Capital Project in a total amount of
$55,000 with funding to be from Capital Reserve 964, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York State General Municipal Law §6(c), the Town Board is
authorized to withdraw and expend funds from Capital Reserve 964 subject to permissive referendum,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the Fleet Management
Implementation Project and authorizes and directs establishment of the Fleet Management
Implementation Capital Project Fund 9213 in the amount of $55,000 which will establish funding for
expenses associated with this Capital Project, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby finds that the withdrawal and expenditure for such Project
are expenditures for a specific capital project and certain maintenance project for which the Capital Reserve
Account 964 was established, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Budget Officer to take all actions
necessary to amend the Town Budget and effectuate the transfer from Reserve No.: 64 in the amount of
$55,000 to fund such Project and hereby increases appropriations in:
• Miscellaneous Account No.: 213-1680-4400 — in the amount of $55,000 and 001-9950-9030-
0064 —Transfer to Capital Project in the amount of$55,000 and estimated revenues in Account
No.: 213-0000-55031 —Interfund Transfers in the amount of$55,000, and
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to sign any
needed documentation and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take any and all actions
necessary to effectuate all terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7"'day of November, 2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT : Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENGAGEMENT OF SERVICES
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 797
OF MUNICITY SOFTWARE CONSULTING ASSOCIATES (MSCA)
REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF SOFTWARE RELATED
TO FLEET AND ASSET MANAGEMENT AND INSTALLATION OF
GPS ON TOWN VEHICLES
RESOLUTION NO.: 366,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to engage the services of a company for
implementation of software related to fleet and asset management and installation of GPS on all Town
vehicles, and
WHEREAS, the Town Purchasing Agent contacted companies and received two (2) quotes for such
work, and
WHEREAS, Municity Software Consulting Associates (MSCA) submitted the lowest quote for
such services and therefore the Town Board wishes to authorize such services,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the engagement of the
services of Municity Software Consulting Associates (MSCA) in accordance with its September 27, 2016
software proposal and October 8, 2016 municity fleet vehicle tracking proposal with payment(s) to be made
from Account No.:213-1680-4400, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes any needed Agreement between
the Town and MSCA for such services, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to sign such
Agreement substantially in the form presented at this meeting along with any other needed documentation
and the Town Supervisor, Town Budget Officer and/or Town Purchasing Agent to take any and all action
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7"'day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 798
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF
GENERATOR AT NEW YORK STATE POLICE BARRACKS
RESOLUTION NO.: 367,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS,by Resolution No.: 327,2016, the Queensbury Town Board authorized the renewal of
the Lease Agreement between the Town and the New York State Police regarding the State Police
Barracks(Barracks)constructed on Town property at 398 Aviation Road in the Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS,by Resolution No.: 341,2016,the Town Board reestablished the State Police Barracks
Addition Capital Project Fund 9155 to establish funding for expenses associated with certain needed
repairs at such Barracks including the purchase and installation of an emergency standby generator, and
WHEREAS,New York State Bidding is not required for such generator purchase as it is under New
York State H.LR.E. (Hazardous Incident Response Equipment) Contract No.: PC66786 (Group 938232,
Award#22872), and
WHEREAS, the Town's Facilities Manager sought and received two (2) quotes for the generator
installation services and the lowest received quote is from Brownell Electric Corporation dated 6/16/2016 in
the amount of$10,560, and
WHEREAS,the Town Board wishes to authorize such generator purchase and installation services,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the purchase of the needed
generator and transfer switch for the State Police Barracks from Better Power, Inc., as set forth in Better
Power, Inc.'s 08-12-2016 quote presented at this meeting for the total amount not to exceed $18,023.42,
in accordance with New York State H.I.R.E. (Hazardous Incident Response Equipment) Contract No.:
PC66786 (Group 938232, Award 922872), and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the generator installation
services of Brownell Electric Corporation in accordance with its quote dated 6/16/2016 presented at this
meeting for the total amount not to exceed$10,560, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs that payment for such generator
purchase and installation services in the total amount of $28,583.42 shall be from Account No.: 155-
8989-2899, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 799
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Facilities
Manager and/or Budget Officer to take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the
terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION CONCERNING CERTAIN STATE OWNED PROPERTIES
WITHIN QUEENSBURY CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT
RESOLUTION NO.: 368,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHEREAS, certain New York State-owned lands which New York State has informed the Town
are exempt were inadvertently charged for Water District charges, and
WHEREAS, Town and County records need to be corrected and Warren County will have to
consider formally forgiving these water charges,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby requests that the unpaid Queensbury
Consolidated Water District charges and all associated penalties and/or interest be forgiven for the following
four(4)New York State owned properties:
• 301.19-1-26
• 303.19-1-70
• 304.17-1-19
• 309.10-1-91
and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 800
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Town
Assessor, Water Superintendent and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further actions as may be
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING 2017 RENEWAL CONTRACT FOR
EMPIRE BLUE CROSS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE INSURANCE PLAN
RESOLUTION NO.: 369, 2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
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 2017 with Empire MediBlue Freedom (PPO) Medicare
Advantage,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves and authorizes a renewal
contract for the year 2017 with Empire MediBlue Freeom (PPO) Medicare Advantage with the
2017 monthly premium to be $445.93 per member, 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.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 801
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr. VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADIRONDACK RUNNERS' 4 MILE
REINDEER RUN TO BENEFIT CINDY'S CAMP COMFORT
RESOLUTION NO.: 370,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Adirondack Runners has requested authorization from the Queensbury Town Board
to conduct its annual Reindeer Run 4 Mile Road Race/Walk to benefit Cindy's Camp Comfort as follows:
SPONSOR Adirondack Runners
EVENT: Reindeer Run 4 Mile Road Race/Walk
DATE Sunday,December 4th,2016
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 Run 4 Mile Road
Race/Walk within the Town of Queensbury to benefit Cindy's Camp Comfort on Sunday, December 4th
2016, 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 7th day of November,2016,by the following vote:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 802
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF PARCEL OF LAND
LOCATED OFF BURNT HILLS DRIVE IN THE TOWN OF QUEENSBURY
FROM JD MICHAELS HOLDINGS, LLC
RESOLUTION NO.: 371,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, JD Michaels Holdings, LLC has offered to donate to the Town of Queensbury an
approximately one (1) acre parcel of land located off Burnt Hills Drive in the Town of Queensbury
contiguous to property having a Kamer Blue Butterfly habitat, designated as Tax Map No.: 308.8-1-73 to the
Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has evaluated the proposal and feels that acquisition of the parcel will
benefit Town residents and provide for additional mitigation of the Kamer Blue Butterfly habitat consistent
with the Planning Board's restrictions on the Burnt Ridge Subdivision approval and therefore the Board
wishes to authorize its acceptance,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves and accepts the dedication of an
approximately one (1) acre parcel of land located off Burnt Hills Drive in the Town of Queensbury
contiguous to Town-owned property having a Kamer Blue butterfly habitat, designated as Tax Map No.:
308.8-1-73 to the Town of Queensbury,provided that JD Michaels Holdings, LLC provides the Town with a
deed and real property forms in acceptable form and the Town receives Title Insurance insuring marketable
title to the property prior to acceptance and recording of the deed, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED,that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute any and all
documents necessary to complete this transaction including any required real property transfer forms in form
acceptable to Town Counsel, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED,that the cost of any recording fees shall be paid for from account(s)to be designated by
the Town Budget Officer, and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 803
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Board, Town Budget
Officer and/or Town Counsel to take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the
terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RECLASSIFICATION OF POSITION
FROM SENIOR CLERK TO OFFICE SPECIALIST IN
BUILDING AND CODES DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 372,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury's Director of Building and Codes Enforcement has
recommended a reclassification of the position presently occupied by Catherine Deck in the Building and
Codes Department from Senior Clerk to Office Specialist, and
WHEREAS, by letter dated November 1, 2016, the Warren County Civil Service Department has
advised that it has reviewed and determined that the duties performed by Ms. Deck have indeed changed
from that of Senior Clerk to Office Specialist and a reclassification would be appropriate, and
WHEREAS,the Town Board concurs with such proposed reclassification,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the reclassification of the position
in the Town's Building and Codes Department presently occupied by Catherine Deck from Senior Clerk to
Office Specialist effective on or about November 8"', 2016 on a provisional basis, subject to a ninety(90) day
probationary period and any other applicable Civil Service requirements, including pending Civil Service
examination requirements, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that Ms. Deck shall be paid at the rate of pay for the Office Specialist position as
specified in the Town's CSEA Union Agreement, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that upon the filling of the Office Specialist position, the Senior Clerk position shall be
terminated, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 804
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Director of
Building and Codes Enforcement and/or Town Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
Duly adopted this 7tn day of November,2016 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT: Mr.VanNess
*DISCUSSION HELD BEFORE VOTE:
COUNCILMAN IRISH- I'd like to move this with one suggested amendment. I'd like to add a Whereas,
Bob. If we can get a second on this'? Upon the filling of, I don't necessarily know who it's going to be once
it's tested out,but upon the filling of that position for Office Specialist, we eliminate the job title and position
for Senior Clerk.
TOWN COUNSEL,HAFNER-We want that in the Resolved not in the Whereas.
COUNCILMAN IRISH-However you want to put it in there.
TOWN COUNSEL,HAFNER-Yeah we would put that in the Resolved.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-Is there any Council Member opposed to that amendment'?
COUNCILMAN METIVIER-I thought that was the understanding.
COUNCILMAN IRISH-Well that was the discussion we had with Dave but it wasn't in the Resolution.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Councilman Irish, with that change, and it seems to be popular Board, doesn't
need to have that one pulled for a separate vote.
RESOLUTION TO AMEND 2016 BUDGET
RESOLUTION NO.: 373, 2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
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 2016 Town Budget as follows:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 805
From To
Code Appropriation Code Appropriation $
Increase Revenue
004-0000-53501 CHIPS $ 42,000
Increase Appropriation
004-5112-
2899 CHIPS $ 42,000
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016 by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT : Mr. VanNess
RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT OF BILLS
WARRANT OF NOVEMBER 8TH, 2016
RESOLUTION NO.: 374,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr.Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr.Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to approve an audit of bills presented as a Warrant
with a run date of November 3rd,2016 and a payment date of November 8th,2016,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the Warrant with a run date of
November 3rd,2016 and a payment date of November 8th,2016 totaling $752,384.07, 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 7th day of November,2016,by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements,Mr.Irish,Mr. Strough,Mr.Metivier
NOES None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 806
ABSENT : Mr.VanNess
RESOLUTION SCHEDULING PUBLIC HEARING ON
LOCAL LAW NO. _ OF 2016 INCREASING SALARY OF
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT FOR 2017 FISCAL YEAR
RESOLUTION NO.: 375,2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board believes it would be in the best interests of the
Town to increase the salary of the Town Highway Superintendent to an amount in excess of the
amount specified in the notice of public hearing on the Town's preliminary budget which was
duly published pursuant to Town Law §108, and
WHEREAS, Town Law §27 authorizes the Town Board to increase the salary of certain
elected officials of the Town, including the Highway Superintendent, to an amount in excess of
the amount specified in the notice of public hearing on the preliminary budget for not more than
one fiscal year by adoption of a Local Law pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Law, and
WHEREAS, proposed Local Law No. of 2016 has been prepared which would
accomplish this change, and
WHEREAS, under Municipal Home Rule Law §20, no Local Law may be passed until a
Public Hearing has been held,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a public hearing at the
Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21St
2016 to consider proposed Local Law No.: of 2016 and to hear all interested persons, and at that
time may take any other actions authorized by law concerning proposed Local Law No.: of 2016;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town Clerk to
publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing concerning proposed Local Law No. of 2016 in the
manner provided by law.
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 807
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT : Mr. VanNess
RESOLUTION SCHEDULING PUBLIC HEARING ON
LOCAL LAW NO. _ OF 2016 INCREASING SALARY OF
TOWN CLERK FOR 2017 FISCAL YEAR
RESOLUTION NO.: 376, 2016
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Brian Clements
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board believes it would be in the best interests of the
Town to increase the salary of the Town Clerk to an amount in excess of the amount specified in
the notice of public hearing on the Town's preliminary budget which was duly published
pursuant to Town Law §108, and
WHEREAS, Town Law §27 authorizes the Town Board to increase the salary of certain
elected officials of the Town, including the Town Clerk, to an amount in excess of the amount
specified in the notice of public hearing on the preliminary budget for not more than one fiscal
year by adoption of a Local Law pursuant to the Municipal Home Rule Law, and
WHEREAS, proposed Local Law No. of 2016 has been prepared which would
accomplish this change, and
WHEREAS, under Municipal Home Rule Law §20, no Local Law may be passed until a
Public Hearing has been held,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a public hearing at the
Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 21St
2016 to consider proposed Local Law No.: of 2016 and to hear all interested persons, and at that
time may take any other actions authorized by law concerning proposed Local Law No.: of 2016;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town Clerk to
publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing concerning proposed Local Law No. of 2016 in the
manner provided by law.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 808
Duly adopted this 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES Mr. Clements, Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES None
ABSENT : Mr. VanNess
5.0 CORRESONDENCE- NONE
6.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LIMIT- 4 MINUTES)
JOHN SALVADOR- Spoke to the Board regarding a FOIL request he submitted months ago
dealing with a special use permit. Stated that the records cannot be located to fill his request.
7.0 TOWN BOARD DISCUSSIONS
COUNCILMAN IRISH (WARD III)-
• On behalf of the Town Board, congratulation to the graduates from the State Police
Academy.
• Received an email from Rich Schermerhorn. He has made an offer to the County to take
over operations at the Airport at a projected savings of four hundred thousand dollars a
year. Asked Supervisor Strough, as our representative at the County, to support this
proposal.
• Congratulations to the Queensbury soccer and football teams on their great seasons.
• A fundraiser was held last week in honor local Marine, Eddy Ryan, who was injured in
Iraq. Happy to report that it was well attended and they were able to raise twelve
thousand dollars. Thanks to everyone who attended and a special thank you to Sgt. Ryan
for his service.
COUNCILMAN CLEMENTS (WARD II)- Sidewalk repairs will start tomorrow on Garrison,
Fort Amherst and North Road.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER(WARD I)- Just to clarify, the Highway Department will pick-up
branches from the recent storm.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-
• Northway Christian Family Church donated one thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars
to the Town. Thanked them for their kindness and generosity.
• Received a letter from Jonathan Mandwelle expressing his appreciation to the Board for
their time and attention in addressing his recent concerns about a building adjacent to
him.
• The Warren County Historical Society will be holding a Veteran and student outing to the
New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs Friday, November 27th from
9:15AM-1:45PM. The cost is five dollars per student and Veterans are free. For more
information and reservations call 793-0734 (Tuesday or Thursday).
• Time Warner Cable News will become Spectrum News. This change will not affect the
content or programming. Spectrum News will continue to be the leading provider of local
news and weather.
• Thanked Look TV and our sponsors for televising these meetings.
• Don't forget to vote tomorrow.
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
RESOLUTION NO.: 377, 2016
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 11-07-2016,MTG 933 809
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Doug Irish
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 7th day of November, 2016, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Irish, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Clements
NOES: None
ABSENT: Mr. VanNess
MINUTES PREPARED BY ROSE MELLON, DEPUTY TOWN CLERK II.
Respectfully Submitted,
Caroline H. Barber
Town Clerk
Town of Queensbury