2007-09-24-MTG41
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1003
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG#41
SEPTEMBER 24, 2007 RES#413-434
7:00 P.M. LL #5
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
SUPERVISOR DANIEL STEC
COUNCILMAN ROGER BOOR
COUNCILMAN RICHARD SANFORD
COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH
COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER
TOWN ATTORNEY
Mark Noordsy
TOWN OFFICIALS
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MIKE SHAW
SENIOR PLANNER, STU BAKER
FISCAL MANAGER, BARBARA TIERNEY
PRESS
TV 8, POST STAR
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILMAN RICHARD SANFORD
SUPERVISOR STEC-Opened meeting presented the following proclamation to Chief
Chip Mellon of the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company.
P R O C L A M A T I O N
WHEREAS
, on Thursday, August 30, 2007 a fire commenced at the Town of
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Queensbury Property on Jenkinsville Road, and
WHEREAS
, upon the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company’s arrival, firefighters
encountered flames shooting approximately 40 to 100 feet in the air and it was
immediately clear that mutual aid would be needed to extinguish the immense fire, and
WHEREAS
, the fire continued through Monday, September 3, 2007 and this major
rd
incident required the cooperation and assistance of many agencies and the response
and resources of approximately 150 firefighters, auxiliary members and EMS providers
from 25 fire companies and rescue squads from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga
Counties, utilizing over 50 pieces of Apparatus, and
WHEREAS
, since there was no water supply at the scene, firefighters utilized a seven
mile tanker shuttle from hydrants to the fire scene, with 18 tankers and engine-tankers
transporting over one million gallons of water to the scene, and
WHEREAS
Volunteers
, such expended over 3,000 hours away from their families
during the Labor Day Holiday Weekend to extinguish this fire, and
WHEREAS
, the Town of Queensbury wishes to bestow its sincere gratitude to the
dedicated and hardworking men and women who provided assistance with the
extinguishment of the fire as follows:
Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company
Ladies Auxiliary
Bay Ridge Rescue Squad North Queensbury Volunteer Fire
Company
Pilot Knob Volunteer Fire Company Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire
Company
West Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire
Company
South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company Fort Ann Volunteer Fire Company
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1004
Kingsbury Volunteer Hose Company Lake George Fire Department
South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Company South Glens Falls Volunteer Fire Co.
Ladies Auxiliary
Bolton Landing Volunteer Fire Department Corinth Volunteer Fire Department
Fort Edward Fire Department Hartford Volunteer Fire Company
Hudson Falls Fire Department Van R. Rhodes Luzerne-Hadley Fire
Company
Warrensburg Volunteer Fire Company West Glens Falls Emergency Squad
Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company
Queensbury Highway Superintendent Michael Travis
Queensbury Highway Department
Queensbury Landfill Equipment Operator Keith Sheerer
Warren County Fire Coordinator Marv Lemery
Warren County Deputy Fire Coordinator Brian LaFlure
Warren County Fire Control
Warren County Deputy EMS Coordinator Chris Norton
Warren County D.P.W.
Washington County Fire Coordinator Ray Rathbun
Washington County Fire Control
Saratoga County Fire Control
Saratoga County Deputy Fire Coordinator Jake Losaw
New York State Emergency Management Office
Charles Friedman Excavating
Jason Morehouse Excavating
NOW, THEREFORE
, the Queensbury Town Board does hereby proclaim and extend its
sincere gratitude to the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company and all other Fire
Companies and Agencies set forth in the preambles of this Proclamation for their
tireless hard work, coordination, dedication and fortitude in extinguishing the fire at the
Town of Queensbury Property on Jenkinsville Road from August 30 through
th
September 3, 2007, and
rd
BE IT FURTHER
, that the Town Board expresses its deepest appreciation to the
Volunteers who give so much to the community and do their part in making the Town of
and safer
Queensbury a better place to live.
__________________________________ Daniel G. Stec, Town
Supervisor
__________________________________ Roger Boor, Ward 1
Councilman
__________________________________ Richard Sanford, Ward 2
Councilman
__________________________________ John Strough, Ward 3
Councilman
__________________________________ Tim Brewer, Ward 4
Councilman
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1.0 PUBLIC HEARING – CENTRAL QUEENSBURY QUAKER ROAD SEWER
DISTRICT BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR 2008
OPENED
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MIKE SHAW PRESENT
SUPERVISOR STEC-I will declare this public hearing open. Mike Shaw is in the
audience I will ask him to come up be nearby in case there are any questions that come
from this first one. As most people will recall every year we go through these benefit
hearings to validate that the roll of the district is accurate and it is stated publicly it is a
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1005
legal requirement that we do it every year. Mike is there anything that you want to add
there are three of them they are all similar this first one is for Quaker Road Sewer
District, which is a big sewer district.
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MR. SHAW-I can give a brief description of what is
going on here. As Dan said each year, we update these rolls similar to the assessment
roll. We are updating the units assessed to each parcel in each one of these districts. The
first public hearing is on the Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District. The
proposed roll for 2008 is up approximately three hundred and twenty four units to nine
thousand one hundred and fourteen.
SUPERVISOR STEC-The public hearing is opened if there is anybody from the public
that would like to comment on this public hearing. Again, I will ask you to raise your
hand one at a time these microphones not only amplify they also record for the record.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
SUPERVISOR STEC-Any questions of Mike from the Town Board. I will close this
public hearing and entertain a motion.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION ADOPTING CENTRAL QUEENSBURY QUAKER
ROAD
SEWER DISTRICT BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR 2008
RESOLUTION NO. 413, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
§
§
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York State Town Law 202 and 202-a, the
Queensbury Town Board has prepared the Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District
Benefit Tax Roll for 2008 assessing the expense of district improvements of general sanitary
sewers located in the Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District and filed the
completed Tax Roll in the Queensbury Town Clerk’s Office, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk posted and published the required Notice of Public
Hearing and mailed copies of the Notice to all property owners within the Benefit
Assessment District, and
th
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly conducted a public hearing on September 24,
2007 and heard all interested persons,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves, confirms and
adopts the Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District Benefit Tax Roll for 2008 for
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1006
payment of public improvement expenses within the District in accordance with New York
§
State Town Law §202 and 202-a, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
issue a warrant to be signed by the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk commanding the
Town Tax Receiver to collect the sum(s) from persons named in the assessment roll and to
pay the sum(s) to the Town.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
PUBLIC HEARING – ROUTE 9 SEWER DISTRICT BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR
2008
OPENED
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
SUPERVISOR STEC-Like wise very similar to the previous one Mike do you want to
add anything for a summary.
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MR. SHAW-Once again the units for this year roll is fifty
two hundred forty four a change of twelve hundred fifty eight units that is less units.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Anybody from the public like to comment on this public hearing it
is opened any questions from board members.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
SUPERVISOR STEC-I will close the public hearing and entertain a motion.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION ADOPTING ROUTE 9 SEWER DISTRICT
BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR 2008
RESOLUTION NO. 414, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
§
§
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York State Town Law 202 and 202-a, the
Queensbury Town Board has prepared the Route 9 Sewer District Benefit Tax Roll for 2008
assessing the expense of district improvements of general sanitary sewers located in the
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1007
Route 9 Sewer District and filed the completed Tax Roll in the Queensbury Town Clerk’s
Office, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk posted and published the required Notice of Public
Hearing and mailed copies of the Notice to all property owners within the Benefit
Assessment District, and
th
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly conducted a public hearing on September 24,
2007 and heard all interested persons,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves, confirms and
adopts the Route 9 Sewer District Benefit Tax Roll for 2008 for payment of public
improvement expenses within the District in accordance with New York State Town Law
§
§202 and 202-a, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
issue a warrant to be signed by the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk commanding the
Town Tax Receiver to collect the sum(s) from persons named in the assessment roll and to
pay the sum(s) to the Town.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
PUBLIC HEARING –SOUTH QUEENSBURY – QUEENSBURY AVENUE
SEWER DISTRICT BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR 2008
OPENED
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2008
SUPERVISOR STEC-I will declare this public hearing opened Mike if you would like to
give us a summary again on this.
DIRECTOR OF WASTEWATER, MR. SHAW-Sure. This district is a little different
from the rest of the district as such that this public hearing is on a Queensbury portion,
but we are also under contract to serving other communities Kingsbury, Washington
County and Warren County. The total units in the Queensbury district are nine hundred
and eighty six units. The units I will just give them off for the other communities
Kingsbury is three hundred and thirty nine. Washington County is six hundred and
twenty six and Warren County a hundred and eighteen units’ total units collected on this
whole roll is two thousand seventy. Once again, Queensbury’s portion is nine hundred
and eighty six units.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1008
SUPERVISOR STEC-Any comments or questions from the public on this public hearing,
anything from Town Board members.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-Just one item. Maybe Mike you could explain to the public
what a unit how you come up with those numbers.
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MR. SHAW-Sure. Each one of these rolls there is a
menu, a menu with classes and units. You take that final class you are in and then you go
to the unit class. In commercial classes there are X number of units per class of land.
You have a residential class you have a commercial class some are deed restricted some
are wetlands. You take your class of your land and multiply it by the acres times the
units this is how you get the units.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-That is how they are billed that is how you arrive at a dollar
figure.
WASTEWATER DIRECTOR, MR. SHAW-Correct. What happens is these public
hearings are for the units assessed to these parcels. Once the board accepts this it goes
along to Warren County with the other assessment rolls. As a budget process, we have
dollars in the budget process that are in there for paying bond and principal payments in
each one of these districts. The dollars are divided by the units and you come up a dollar
per unit figure. If you have, fifty units’ times ten bucks it would be five hundred dollars.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Again, if there any comments or questions from the public
regarding this third public hearing on sewer district benefit rolls.
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
SUPERVISOR STEC I will close the public hearing and entertain a motion.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION ADOPTING SOUTH QUEENSBURY – QUEENSBURY
AVENUE SEWER DISTRICT BENEFIT TAX ROLL FOR 2008
RESOLUTION NO. 415, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
§
§
WHEREAS, in accordance with New York State Town Law 202 and 202-a, the
Queensbury Town Board has prepared the South Queensbury – Queensbury Avenue Sewer
District Benefit Tax Roll for 2008 assessing the expense of district improvements of general
sanitary sewers located in the South Queensbury – Queensbury Avenue Sewer District and
filed the completed Tax Roll in the Queensbury Town Clerk’s Office, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk posted and published the required Notice of Public
Hearing and mailed copies of the Notice to all property owners within the Benefit
Assessment District, and
th
WHEREAS, the Town Board duly conducted a public hearing on September 24,
2007 and heard all interested persons,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1009
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves, confirms and
adopts the South Queensbury – Queensbury Avenue Sewer District Benefit Tax Roll for
2008 for payment of public improvement expenses within the District in accordance with
§
New York State Town Law §202 and 202-a, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
issue a warrant to be signed by the Town Supervisor and Town Clerk commanding the
Town Tax Receiver to collect the sum(s) from persons named in the assessment roll and to
pay the sum(s) to the Town.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
PUBLIC HEARING – BARTON & LOGUIDICE, P.C. TO PROVIDE
ADDITIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH MAIN
STREET INFRASTRUCTURE AND REDEVELOPMENT PLAN
OPENED
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: SEPTEMBER 14, 2007
PRESENTATION MADE BY RICH STRAUT AND DON FLETCHER
ENGINEERS FROM BARTON & LOGUIDICE PRESENT
SUPERVISOR STEC-We are going to receive first a presentation from Barton &
Loguidice the two engineers that the Town has been working on this for the last several
years they are going to make a presentation so we are going to be getting out of their
way. By way of background, this public hearing is not required; there are no legal
requirements for it. However, the Town is free to have public hearings whenever we
want on matters because of the information that we are going to be presented tonight
predominately-new costs estimates for the first time in two years we have given an
update a ballpark cost. We felt that it was the appropriate time to seek one, inform the
public then two, seek any feedback before the Town continues if the Town chooses to
continue going down the Main Street Underground Utilities path. With that said we are
going to turn it over, we are going to have the presentation by Barton & Loguidice, and
then we will take public comment and go from there. With that said, I will open the
public hearing and turn it over to Barton & Loguidice to make their presentation.
MR. STRAUT-My name is Rich Straut, I am with Barton & Loguidice Engineering this
is Don Fletcher. As, Dan said we have been working on this project and several others
with the Town, but this one particularly for several years actually started this back in
2001 with the Town it has been a number of years the project has certainly evolved. We
have made several presentations although over the last couple of years I think all of our
discussions have really been just with the Town Board. The Town Board thought it
would appropriate to provide an update at this point. What we wanted to talk about is the
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1010
focus of the presentation tonight and the hearing is cost estimates with respect to
underground utilities. In order to give you the context of the cost estimates we wanted to
give you a little bit more background as to everything that has really been going on over
in the Main Street area with a number of projects just to give you again the context of
what we are talking about here. I am going to give you some of that information Don is
going to give you some other information. We are going to give you some of the
visualizations most of this information has been presented in the past. The only new
information that you are going to see today is some of the cost projections that have been
updated and provided by some of the utility companies. The Main Street plan and some
of the other projects that are going on are represented on this map here and listed here.
This is the Northway, Exit 18 is right here with Main Street coming into the City of Glens
Falls. There are a number of projects the first project that really initiated all this work
was the County project that involved reconstructing Main Street. The County started that
back in about 1998 with an analysis or a study then they began progressing the design a
couple years later. The Town got involved in order to retain Barton and Loguidice in
order to help develop some of the issues that the Town was interested in with that
redevelopment plan to work and coordinate with the County and the County Consultants
on what the Town would like in terms of aesthetics redevelopment of the corridor
rezoning things like that. The other thing that came out of that was we were able to help
the Town secure a grant for what they call Gateway Improvements it involved the Park &
Ride Facility over along where the new EMS building is being built. A Gateway Plaza,
which is consistent with the Town’s Comprehensive Planning effort and bike connections
along Richardson Street back to Luzerne Road and down to the Feeder Canal. The other
thing that has happened along the line is the County project has extended from where it
was initially going to stop, I think Big Boom Road across the interchange to Big Bay
Road. We were brought on again to help the Town develop a concept and promote that
within the context of the roadway reconstruction. For aesthetics for streetscape those
types of things undergrounding of utilities was a big part of that to redesign and
reconstruct the water mains in the area and to construct a new sanitary sewer system to
service the area. The County’s objectives in reconstructing the Main Street Corridor
were really focused around moving traffic. That is one of the reasons why the Town got
more involved was to bring in some of the other aspects that the Town is interested in.
The County was looking at traffic flow the project is taking that roadway from a two lane
to a three-lane road looking at correcting structural deficiencies in the pavement drainage
problems. They wanted to minimize the impact to adjacent properties they did not want
to take peoples houses in this effort. With respect with the roadway, they did indicate
that would like to enhance aesthetics and to provide improved access control, which is
really how cars enter the street or leave the street to individual properties. As we got
involved with the Town the Town objectives were to work into that project
reconstructing the water mains and upsizing them as part of the district and coordinating
that with the road reconstruction. Putting in a new sanitary sewer district to serve that
area the initial district was going to extend out to Carl R’s it has since been extended
beyond the intersection of Big Bay Road. Putting the power and utilities underground,
we will talk more detail about that planning for the redevelopment along Main Street.
Main Street is in transition if you noticed there is already transition that is happening
from residential to commercial. What we worked with the Town on was developing a
vision of how that corridor would redevelop. It lead to new zoning in the area lead to
design guidelines for architectural improvements providing the gateway into the Town,
which we were able to help the Town secure a grant for Don is going to give you a little
bit more on the history and some costs.
DON FLETCHER-Good evening as Rich said on the Main Street history to give a little
bit of background. The County began this project back in 1998 with a project sponsored
with Adirondack Glens Falls Transit Council on a Corridor Management Plan on what to
do with the roadway to improve it and they identified two main items identified the need
for highway improvements and short long-term recommendations. With that, the Town
also in 1998 updated their Comprehensive Plan, which included improving gateway such
as this one into the community and the new Zoning Ordinance. Warren County then took
the project, hired a consultant Clough Harbour and Associates, began projects scoping
back in June of 2000 through March of 2001, and began preliminary design back in
March of 2001. The Town of Queensbury who wanted to make sure with this important
project that their interests were one hundred percent covered decided to hire a consultant
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1011
beyond the Warren County consultant, which was us back in June of 2001 to progress the
Town’s initiatives in this project, which was water sewer engineering some public
design...back in September of 2001 to gather all the Town input we developed two plans.
The Main Street Plan, which was the economic plan and the zoning changes that need to
be for this area as well as the Utility Underground Plan was also completed in April of
2002, which was a Feasibility Study on undergrounding the utilities for various reasons
that we will get into such as safety and aesthetics. The Highway project was expanded to
include the Exit 18 area of June of 2002. The Town began the utility coordination with
us with the utility company back in October 2002 some further highway milestones some
concepts were developed and the Preliminary Highway Report was done in February of
2004. Then beyond that, these are some critical dates with regard to the Town and some
of their initiatives. The Undergrounding Utilities, Local Law was developed in
November 2004, which was for this area as well as several other commercial areas in the
Town for undergrounding of utilities. National Grid who obviously did not agree with
that filed a lawsuit against the Town challenging the Local Law in March of 2005, but
they continued in conjunction with B & L and the Town on some of the design concepts.
The private utilities companies prepared their preliminary underground utility design in
February of 2006. B & L in conjunction with Clough Harbour prepared the advanced
design plans for DOT submission, which is approximately eighty percent of the plans
done in November of last year. The County then commenced right-a-way acquisitions
for fee takings for the highway portion of the project in March and the National Grid
Terra with regard to a local law for other communities was approved by the PSC in July
2007. I would like to talk a little bit about the project costs and where we started back in
May of 2002 after the consultants were hired in 2001 and where we are today. As you
can see number one is the highway project, which is the project for the federal, state, and
local government. The federal paying eighty percent of the project, the state fifteen, and
the local share is five percent. As you can see, the budget in May of 2002 was four
million dollars. The budget today from the number we got from the highway consultant,
Clough Harbour is twelve million dollars. With that some inflation escalation of cost
some other items also such as streetscape improvements, which are one of the main Town
initiatives in the area trying for….sensitive solutions looking at crosswalks, benches,
pedestrian scale lighting things of that nature. We were able to secure to approximately
one million dollars through the DOT and Federal Government on behalf of the Town for
this project to be included with the streetscape improvements. Also, noted earlier Exit 18
reconstruction is included as well as the relocation of Big Boom Road. The second item
is the water item. As you can see as we further developed the cost estimates with regards
to the construction of the highway project the budgeted costs for May of 2002 went from
four hundred and seventy thousand to three hundred thousand that is the water district
share of that cost with the remaining water construction being paid for by the highway
project. Meaning the remaining portion...would be distributing of the water system as part
of doing their highway job is included in that twelve million dollar budget. The third
item is the sewer. The budgeted cost went from approximately six hundred and ten
thousand dollars to one point three six million dollars with the majority of it going to a
new district that is the district share of one point three million. There are some excess
capacity provisions in there for future, which would be the Town general fund at sixty
five thousand. One item of note as the highway job is extended from Big Boom Road to
Big Bay Road the sewer has also extended in that time. With inflation in the five years as
well as that, extension of the project has resulted in the cost increase. The final is the
undergrounding of the private utilities. The Undergrounding Utility Study that was
developed in 2002 showed one point five seven. The budgeted cost today is four point
five five million. Particular items of note are obviously the lawsuit is pending with
National Grid on the Main Street Utilities. As part of the twelve million dollar highway
job the service connections to all the parcels the underground service connections would
be paid for as part of that job under the same eighty percent federal, fifteen percent state,
five percent local share. As, I noted we will see the following table for the cost
breakdown. For the underground utilities components of the budgeted costs of 2002 to
2007 the National Grid primary lines, which is part of the Local Law was nine hundred
and seventy thousand in 2002. Their verbal estimate without any backup this was just a
verbal estimate of the overall numbers one point five million at this point rising numbers
to two hundred and twenty thousand to an estimate of one point two six million. The
cable has decreased in cost from one hundred and thirty thousand to sixty thousand. The
services as I originally said are now one hundred percent funded. They were initially
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1012
shown as two hundred and fifty thousand now at five hundred and seventy five thousand
some of these numbers are due to a variety of issues. One is we extended the limit west
and across the streets of the size of the undergrounding of utilities. One of the items after
May of 2002 that was decided that on all the cross streets we would extend one pole
length the undergrounding of utility so it would get away from the corridor into the side
streets the final number is part of the local law is the easement acquisition. As part of the
public charettes in September of 2001 when the budget was developed in May of 2002
donations were assumed the general public wanted this project, understood the need for it
,
for safetyaesthetics, and economic development reasons. As R.K. Hite who is the
County’s consultant on securing the fee takings they have been out there, as I said
securing the fee takings for the County. They also have been initiating discussions on
securing easements as part of the undergrounding of the utilities particularly for National
Grid, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable utilities. It was their stipulation that the utilities
be outside the road right-a-way. The Town and B & L have tried talking to them about
moving it inside the right-a-way. They have resisted indicated that it needs to be outside
the right-a-way for safety concerns. As R.K. Hite has been talking to the owners along
the corridor, they have determined that donations are not going to be feasible most people
are looking to get paid. We have put some preliminary estimates together and those
include almost a million dollars for the easements for this. So, with that Rich is going to
talk about the undergrounding alternative and another alternative.
MR. STRAUT-I just wanted to give you a little bit of a background as to what is out
there now and what has been considered as we have gone along. This is a section
through the roadway of basically what is there now. There are two lanes about twenty
four feet wide pavement with utility poles on both sides, cobra head lighting, about a
forty-foot setback. There are water lines underground there is an existing gas line that
meanders. We did find that there are some telephone utilities underground already, which
I think when we first started, were not mapped. The propose redevelopment of the
corridor is to put in a three lane road there would be a middle turning lane that is the
County’s part they are going to upgrade the drainage and put in a new pipe drainage
system. The water line is going to be replaced with a larger water line to better serve the
feeds through the Town. A new sanitary sewer would be placed on the south side under
the sidewalk then there will be underground utilities. You see the yellow blocks it says
future infill development that is really looking at some of the redesign and zoning, zoning
and design guidelines that were develop to make a pedestrian friendly Main Street type
atmosphere. That was done several years ago and you can see there is pedestrian scale
lighting. As redevelopment occurs, the goal here is to have a Main Street type
atmosphere that is pedestrian friendly, which it is not right now. The advantages that
were considered with respect to undergrounding of utilities were that it is really
consistent with the gateway concept in terms of aesthetics and putting in a pedestrian
friendly gateway to the Town. It is consistent with the redevelopment economic
initiatives for revitalizing the area the aesthetics and there were also safety concerns that
were addressed by putting the utilities underground because the poles were very close to
the travel lanes and are now. The disadvantages are the logistics that is one of the
reasons we are talking to you here today about this five years later. Logistically this has
been a very difficult and continues to be a very difficult project. There are above ground
cabinets that are required so it is not like you don’t see anything you just don’t see utility
poles and spaghetti of wires going across the street, but you do see the transformers and
cabinets. It has impacted the schedule for construction although the schedule is now to
complete design and go to bid early next year. Cost was always listed as a disadvantage
and continues to be a concern. These are just some examples of what some of those
transformers will look like. These are pictures of actual transformers in other areas, but
some of the size of the transformers because it is a commercial area there will be some
that are larger than what you see when you drive down a residential street. This is a
simulation that we did at the Cumberland Farms looking at redevelop Main Street
looking in towards the City. You can see just to the right of the tree where a transformer
was located and the design and what that might look like. An alternative that was
considered was what they call an armless pole to go overhead and clustering to try to
minimize potentially some of the aesthetics concerns. If they were to do that this is all
information that has been presented in the past. An armless pole would eliminate some
of the multitude of wires if that was considered would still have poles on potentially both
sides of the street possibly just one side of the street. An example where you could see
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1013
that if you wanted to is down along West Avenue in Saratoga Springs where that was
implemented a few years ago. An example of what that might look like if it was
implemented on Main Street as opposed to the undergrounding of utilities. The next
steps are to continue to negotiate the easements. As we said, it appears as though
donations are not forth coming for many of the property owners as it was anticipated with
respect to giving easements for undergrounding of utilities. The County is moving
towards completing the right-a-way acquisitions so the negotiations of these easements
would occur at the same time by the same Company R. K. Hite. The final design plans
and contract documents are going to be prepared by Clough Harbour, the County
Consultant over the winter. The resolution of the lawsuit is still out there it has not been
resolved. There are many aspect to that I don’t know if you want to say anything about
who pays essentially.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-The issue is who is responsible for the additional cost that
results from having to put the utilities underground. National Grid contends that is an
unreasonable requirement that they should not have to pay it. The Town contends that it
is a reasonable requirement that it should be the responsibility of the utility. The law
only requires undergrounding when there is construction like this not if there is no
construction project at all. The papers were submitted quite a while ago we have been
trying to lightly ask for a decision we do not have one yet that could continue to further
levels after an initial decision from the court. It is hard to know how to make decisions
when you don’t know whether that aspect is going to be covered by the utility or by the
Town.
MR. STRAUT-That again just remains a question. Once those things are resolved, the
intent is to go to bidding over the winter and begin construction next year.
SUPERVISOR STEC-The public hearing is opened I figured that probably the Town
Board will have most of the questions because frankly we have been following this the
closest certainly we are going to take any comment from the public. Two things that I
wanted to throw out just first for you guys while they are fresh in my mind I think I
mentioned this to you guys to you two maybe not necessarily the board. A week or two
ago I had a meeting on another subject with John Murphy and Bill Flaherty from
National Grid they had suggested again the idea of the candlestick. You are right some
of the very graphics that you showed in this presentation you have shown many times
before. Just to point out we have had numerous public hearings over the last five years
on this. I think the reason why we are here having this special public hearing is to talk
about the cost I want to follow up with one of those. The board informally throughout
the last five years has been asked to consider this reconsider this are you sure you are
committed. What is new this time is that we do have in fact different new fresh larger
estimates on cost. I was intrigued by their suggestion they did make it clear to me that
they felt that if we wanted to candlestick on one side of the street. I know you talked
about it that it might be possible they told me that it was possible to go on one side of the
street that might not be a bad way to go we are going to take public comment on that we
will react to it. The other thing that really jumped off the page at me I have seen these
numbers before. The more, I think about it and especially because I think you did in fact
say, I am jumping to about the middle of your presentation on the project costs table the
second page the Project Cost Continued the very last line where you talk about the May
2002 budget was for the easement acquisitions from property owners. That we are
talking about assuming that we were going to be able to get donations much in the same
way that the Town has historically gotten donations for water and sewer lines. The idea
being that the property benefits from having water and sewer there it is not a true huge
encumbrance on a property the benefit outweighs the cost so historically these easements
have been given not charged to the Town. Looking at the summary, it says that the
underground utilities could go from roughly one point five to roughly four point five.
Depending on number one the lawsuit, but number two the second page the biggest
change because National Grid change I mean, I wouldn’t stop at a half a million dollars it
is going from one million to one point five million. In five years, that might not be
complexly unreasonable. I guess, what I am saying is the deal buster that perhaps the
Town Board has and maybe or maybe not the public is the fact that hey, we thought that
the easements we were probably going to be able to get them for nothing. Now we are
finding out that people are expecting to not only have the improvement of
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1014
undergrounding utilities, but also be paid for that improvement to a tune of over one point
one million dollars potentially hopefully on the high end. I guess just listening to you
present it again looking at that it jumped out to me that of all these things like you said
the Verizon estimate I don’t know how it went up by six fold the Cable actually went
down a little bit. I don’t think that a fifty percent increase it is like you said the highway
part, which thankfully the Town is not on the hook for any of that the County, is five
percent and the state and feds have the rest not that it is still not taxpayer money, but it is
not local share. I think that deal busting number and what we are looking at for
underground utilities is in fact the property acquisition. I want to take public comment I
don’t want to put words in anyone’s mouth.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Dan there is more to it than that. Certainly the nine hundred and
twenty thousand that the Town might have to purchase these easements for is nothing that
any of us had figured on. I think we are also overlooking the National Grid Tariff
Approved.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Oh yeah….
COUNCILMAN BOOR-If I could address that.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Go ahead.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-What people need to understand is yes ultimately it may seem
that National Grid is going to foot the bill on this, but make no mistakes rates throughout
the Town of Queensbury will go up. We will ultimately pay for it one way or the other
so it is a little bit of a game simply winning does not mean we won’t pay for it. Certainly
this project has escalated from what was considered reasonable with respect to what the
aesthetics benefit would be to what I believe not is not only extremely expensive and
high, but uncertain at best that it won’t go higher. I have very serious concerns about
moving forward without a court decision. I am going to probably be talking about
something later on and I am very disappointed with a lot of courts. This decision was
made two years ago and we sit here today trying to make a financial decision with
information that is sitting on a Judge’s desk. I don’t think it is fair to the public and I
have a real problem with the judiciary when they are not timely in their decisions giving
the decisions they have made when they make them. I am really not comfortable with
what we are looking at.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Whole on a minute let me finish my original thought here. My
original loop here was that of all these, but certainly I am also troubled that although it
has been litigated and the arguments concluded well over a year ago.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Two years ago.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Two years ago.
SUPERVISOR STEC-That certainly it is still sitting on a Judge’s desk. Again, I think
not to overlook I think if property owners are going to benefit from having it
undergrounded I think that is an area that would need to be explored. Who knows tonight
we may say we have had enough we don’t care if the property owners are interested in
donating or not, but I am bothered by that. The other thing is the Town, Mark if we win
this lawsuit the Town rates wouldn’t be the only rates National Grid would have to cover
this from everywhere. What they are proposing to us is subjecting ourselves as a
settlement to a tariff where it would only be concentrated in the Town. I just wanted to
clarify is that the case Mark?
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-That is correct just one point of clarification Roger on what
you mentioned. The numbers that you are seeing here there would not be a tariff in
addition. What the numbers here that they are seeking are the additional costs that they
claim it would cost to go underground. What they admitted to us in a meeting is that this
tariff applies going forward only would not apply to the Town they would like to try and
settle it based on a tariff. There would not be an additional tariff in this case, but they
will try to win the litigation…..
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1015
SUPERVISOR STEC-They are proposing that we consider it.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-My point being is not necessarily the initial decision that
determines what we ultimately pay.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-That is correct and again they have looked to trying to settle it
by way of a tariff to recapture those costs by way of that.
COUNCILMAN STEC-Those are the points that I wanted to throw out initially.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Let me clarify a couple of numbers okay just so everybody
is on the same page. In your original 2002, cost estimates you listed them and I assume
that they were total cost. In your recent August 13 outline, you provided aerial
undergrounding and that what you call the difference or the betterment. I believe in this
number it is the total cost not the betterment.
MR. STRAUT-Right. These are the total cost, which you also want to look at in terms of
a betterment would be the differential cost between going overhead verses
undergrounding that would bring that total cost down by about eight hundred and ninety
thousand dollars.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-My understanding correct me if I am wrong was that if we
go aerial or we go undergrounding we will still incur a cost. It is just that it is more
expensive to go undergrounding than aerial, aerial is not going to be free is that correct?
MR. STRAUT-If the utilities were to be reconstructed aerially my understanding is that
they would be paid for by the utility companies.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-And then charged back to the people.
MR. STRAUT-No.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Then why did you give us this August 13 memo, which
shows the betterment difference of rather than the total cost for undergrounding because
it is not relevant.
MR. STRAUT-There is a total cost there and then there is also the cost for going
overhead and the difference of those.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-You just said that there isn’t a cost for overhead.
MR. STRAUT-It would potentially be relevant if you didn’t win the lawsuit.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Wait a second. If we decided to go aerial, you are saying
they are going to pay for the aerial changes.
MR. STRAUT-Right.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-So where is the betterment?
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-So the betterment doesn’t make sense in this situation. If
we go undergrounding and lose the case, we are on for the total costing of the
underground.
MR. STRAUT-Minus the cost it would of cost the utility company to put them in
overhead. They would deduct that because they are faced with that cost regardless.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-On their part.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-I guess you are looking at it from Niagara Mohawk’s point
of view.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1016
MR. STRAUT-No that’s not true. I am saying according to their numbers and there is a
potential if you were to lose the lawsuit there is that potential risk there it is just
information on that potential.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-In your bottom of your project cost you go a hundred
percent federal, state, local, for services. I don’t want anybody to think that some grant is
covering a hundred percent of that. That number according to my understanding is for
some five hundred and seventy five thousand dollars. In terms of the undergrounding
service amount will be on for twenty-eight seven fifty or five percent none of this
undergrounding piece is covered under some of the other situations that we were dealing
with where we got reimbursed some eighty or eighty five percent this is really our nickel
as we look at it now is that correct?
MR. STRAUT-It is going to be under the highway project.
MR. FLETCHER-You are talking about the service connections.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Yes. In other words out of the universe of undergrounding
most of them are not link with grants and things of this nature with the exception of the
service fee of five seventy five and of that ninety five percent is eligible.
MR. FLETCHER-Yes.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-I just wanted to make sure my numbers….
SUPERVISOR STEC-There is a five percent local share.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-But only on that amount of money.
MR. FLETCHER-There is five percent local share it has been determined that the
undergrounding of services is eligible for funding through the highway reconstruction
project.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-That is a small part of what we are talking about. Here is
what I did…..
MR. STRAUT-It is over a half a million dollars.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-First of all I agree with Councilman Boor. My feeling is
we need to wait for the decision in order to make an informed decision I am talking about
the litigation lawsuit decision if that is at all possible that would be my recommendation.
I also think what we really need to do and I know you have probably done this at your
end, but maybe the Town needs to also bring Verizon in because as Dan mentioned going
from two hundred and twenty as a cost estimate in 2002 to one point two six million in
2007….
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Something is wrong.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-We have to talk to them about that number. I certainly
wouldn’t want to make a decision tonight incorporating that kind of a huge spread in a
number without having a better level of understanding. Having said that, I just want to
emphasize what I emphasized a few weeks when I was talking about this and the
importance of this presentation and hearing. The impacts to the taxpayers in the Town
are very material for this project extremely material. I was using the smaller number I
was using the betterment number of three point one four eight now I am seeing it is four
point five. Based on what I came up with is on the three point one four eight that is a
dollar twelve per thousand of assessed value in the Town of Queensbury. I think it was a
buck thirty-six based on four million. If you look at what people’s properties are
appraised and if you use….
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Use a million dollar house.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1017
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-If you use one point five as the impact you can do your
own arithmetic people are going to be paying handsomely for what I understand to be a
stretch less than a mile long. You have aerial wires leading to it then you go underground
for this period of time. You hit Glens Falls and you have aerial wires continuing into
Glens Falls. I appreciate the fact if money was not an issue it would be nice to have it
underground. In terms of what this cost we are talking about equates to in terms of other
things. Is we give out and we are very proud to do it with the sales tax rebate in the
magnitude of two million dollars a year. We are wondering about the ability for this
Town to continue doing that we hope that we will be able to do it. This pretty well would
put a pretty good dent into that that is for darn sure.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-The whole argument could be mute.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-I just want to wrap it up. In addition, I drove over there
this weekend to look it all over. Councilman Boor was talking to me about this these are
particularly deep….
COUNCILMAN BOOR-They are not deep lots. My point being I certainly want to
encourage businesses. When I look at the depth of these lots and I consider what
additional lanes of that highway will take away from these lots we are not going to be
putting Lowe’s, Home Depot in there. We are going to be putting Shoe Repair Shops,
Donut Shops. I am not sure that the return in sales tax yes it will be much more attractive,
but for the amount of money we will be spending, I don’t think there is a financial return
that can justify it. These aren’t deep lots it is not like these businesses can be expanded
because of this new wonderful exposure they have it is very attractive as a matter of fact;
their parcels will be diminished in size.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-Richard did you finish your thoughts?
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Roger has to finish.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I kind of like to finish, but go ahead John.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Roger wants to finish then Richard wants to finish then we will get
to you that is what that conversation was about.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Go ahead Roger you finish up.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-No I am done.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-My only other last comment was also that I have been
looking at what I call soft cost here and they are not in your presentation. I don’t think
too much maybe in the case of Hite, but B & L soft costs are not really in here. I asked
the Accounting Department to do their best to reconstruct the soft costs for the Main
Street Project, which is what we are talking about. There are two others there is the
Connector Road and there is the Gateway Plaza I am going to leave those out. On Main
Street, alone we are talking about two hundred and twenty six thousand dollars that the
Town has incurred in engineering costs to your firm. In addition we have had other firms
involved for a total for the Main Street about two hundred and fifty thousand. My
understanding tonight for you to continue on you are looking for an additional resolution
for another seventy five thousand dollars. At our Workshop when I brought it up and
discussed it you were honest you said you couldn’t give any representation or guarantee
as to that being the end of the road on either your costs estimates for the project or for the
soft costs associated with services rendered. I just want to point that out as yet another
reason for anxiety and I will now turn it over to John.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-I joined on the very beginning in 1998. I was on the Main
Street Redevelopment Committee. Through the work of the public and professionals and
coordinators like members of the committee, we came up with a Main Street design. That
included forty-foot setbacks from the street. It included landscaping requirements. It
included parking in the rear that would be interconnected. It included the kind of zoning
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1018
that would mandate commercial development on the first floor and allow mix use
development on the upper floors. So, you are going to have kind of a mix use
environment similar to what you would see in Glens Falls, Saratoga, etc. When you
stand downtown in Glens Falls, it is looking great by the way, and you stand downtown
in Saratoga, as I was two weekends ago they are doing a fantastic job of revitalizing their
Main Streets, their downtowns, I have to give them a pat on the back they are very pro-
active people. Have costs been a concern to them, of course they are, of course, we are
going to have to balance the undergrounding utilities after a court decision we will have
to see what the reality is. I think most of us here would probably agree that if we had our
preferences and the cost was not outrageous we have to agree that grounding the utilities
would be the proper way to go. I mean if you looked at Glens Falls or Saratoga can you
imagine the same Main Street look with the utilities and the spaghetti wire all around
you. You would have to admit that it looks better if you did underground the utilities.
Not only that, but because of the limitations of our Main Street Redevelopment the
telephone poles are actually going to be very close to the road. I don’t know if that is less
than ideal we may have to live with that, but it is less than ideal. We are trying to
encourage the private development of plazas along Main Street. Plazas that would turn
into people places with landscaping, benches, fountains, art work and encourage people
to be there. Of course, it is commercially oriented there will be a commercial incentive
for doing that kind of thing. It will be privately paid for but our zoning is going to allow
that and encourage that kind of thing. So, down the road if it is done right Main Street
could be one of our gold stars. It could be something that we would be very proud of that
we did this project right. We have to be careful in making quick decisions. We have to
wait until the court decides and then we are going to have to make some tough decisions.
If you type in undergrounding utilities go on Google you will see the benefits that other
municipalities have gotten because they did bury their utilities. The land values actually
increased, of course your advalorumtaxes will bring in more tax revenue by burying the
utilities. Just type in undergrounding utilities you will go to places like California where
municipalities can mandate it unfortunately New York is not there. We are kind of
tangled in to a court case here we will just have to see how it comes out. A lot of work
has gone into making this something that I think you and I will be very proud of. We
may have to put up with utilities in the air less than ideal I just wanted to give you the
boarder picture that is it.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Tim do you have anything you want to add I figured I would go
down the line.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-No go right ahead. I will agree with you John, but I am not
going to go through that dissertation.
SUPERVISOR STEC-You have been on this board since the beginning and I know you
know the history. A lot of this wasn’t new except for the new numbers, which increases
the risk. I think John probably put it well in saying that it is balance it is a balance where
the financial risk verses the improvement to the community. That is a decision that we
will ultimately be faced with. I want to let the public have there comment period is there
any members of the public that would like to comment on this public hearing. This is not
a mandatory public hearing, but we felt that it was an opportunity to get Barton and
Loguidice here because you see the history it is a nine-year-old project that the Town,
County, and State have been working on. If you talk to people at DOT as I have, they
will tell you this is the most complicated project of its nature that they have seen the guys
in the local region here. This is not your simple hey, we are going to repave a mile
stretch of road and change the water and sewer lines. This is a complicated project with
that comes the cost that we are all talking about that everyone of us is very concerned
about. The news that we just got a month ago from Barton & Loguidice as far as where
the new estimates are weren’t encouraging. We want to see is there public comment out
there we area looking for guidance. Up to this point the public has been more less in
favor, however, we have new information maybe people are changing their minds, which
is what we want to hear from the public.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Dan I have one question of our Attorney or perhaps one of the
gentlemen here. Certainly, everybody on the board would like to have the utilities
underground I don’t think that is the issue that is of concern here. One of the things that
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1019
has occurred to me is if we were to move forward under the assumption that we are going
to underground. We purchase these easements for nine hundred and twenty thousand
dollars and then we lose we wouldn’t of needed to purchase those easements if they were
over it is that correct so that would be money forever gone.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-No. If you were to proceed before receiving your court
decision as I mentioned earlier when we were talking before the meeting I think you have
to do it based on a worst-case scenario. That you were going to lose and that you would
not recoup the betterment cost that the Town would be out the full cost of putting in
underground utilities. If you acquire those easements, you can still pay for the utilities to
be underground. The utilities point or argument is that the Town should be responsible
for the difference between overhead and underground. The Town position is that the
local law is valid and that the utility should be responsible for it.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-And are they including the cost of the easements.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-No.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-In other words that is solely our cost regardless of the outcome
of the litigation.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-Correct.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Okay, thank you.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Correct.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-A good question…
COUNCILMAN BOOR-That is what I wanted to clarify. If we went ahead and
purchased those easements in anticipation then once we do that we are pretty much
committed.
SUPERVISOR STEC-If we change our mind we will spend nine hundred thousand
dollars that we didn’t need to spend.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-That is my point.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I agree.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-It would seem to be it would only make sense that we
would have a contract with the landowners saying that should we go to undergrounding
then we will pay we will not pay ahead of time.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-That can be done you would pay some fee to R.K. Hite to get
that far.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Which is additional, costs.
SUPERVISOR STEC-To build off what John just said for Don, Rich, and perhaps most
importantly you Mark. That gets me back to my original point that the expectation was
that these easements might very well follow suit with all other utility easements that the
Town has ever dealt with and that they were donated to the Town. Perhaps the question
that we need to be asking property owners is how committed are you to making this
work. If you want to be compensated to the tune of nine hundred thousand dollars, guess
what you might not have underground utilities. I think that really I am not saying it is the
only feedback, but additional feedback would be useful to the board is hey, we thought
we were dealing with this. R.K. Hite has been in this business for a long time you have
been in this business for a long time. You were surprised that people were saying on one
hand the property owner was saying they liked the idea of underground utilities on the
other hand they are saying we want to be compensated for these easements.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1020
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Let me just interrupt you for a second because of the
numbers. The nine hundred and twenty some odd thousand dollars includes the costs of
the easements, which is in the six hundred and some odd thousand dollar vicinity plus
Hite’s fee for going around and doing the administration of all of that.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I think it was nine hundred plus six hundred up to one point five.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Let’s clarify it.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-That’s worse.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Am I right. I think I got it right.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-You are going to lose the three hundred.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-My point is if we pass the resolution in front of us tonight
and we proceed to do what Mr. Strough just suggested, which is line it up in a contractual
sense we may never have to execute that contract, but we are certainly going to have to
pay Hite three hundred thousand dollars.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-So we are not talking about just seventy five thousand tonight
we are talking about three hundred and seventy five thousand.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Correct. There is one other question I was going to ask you Mark.
What was the Town’s assumption because everyone is talking about hey; well you have
this question Mark about this lawsuit out there. Obviously, everyone knows the lawsuit
has been a question mark for a long time. Up until now, the assumption has been on a
smaller number that we knew was growing with time. The assumption was when we
initially made these decisions and informally revalidated them over the last course of five
years that we knew that we could lose the lawsuit and actually be prepared to pay the
whole nut. We have said that I remember being at Town Board Meetings where that was
said.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-We knew that going in.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Now what we are saying is that somebody just drew us a new
picture of the nut, the nut is bigger, and now we are saying that might not be a nut that we
want to tackle.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Let’s just open it up to the public.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Let’s open it up to the public.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Let me open it up to the public is there anybody that would like to
comment on this.
JOHN HODGKINS, QUEENSBURY-Just a couple, I guess questions. I guess one of the
things it looks like to me is that this is being driven not by the Town Board it is being
driven by the County developing the highway the road coming in correct?
COUNCILMAN BREWER-Correct.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Nine years ago.
MR. HODGKINS-That date is coming up next year I believe, is correct.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Yes.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Yes.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1021
MR. HODGKINS-This is not something we can sit back on, wait, and make some of
these decisions. The cost goes up a lot more if you have to dig up their highway. A
question I had on here as they were presenting here they were talking about funding.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-John just so you know you don’t have to dig up the highway and
that’s one of the problem is that the utility easements aren’t under the highway and that’s
why we have to purchase these additional easements okay so that’s not an issue.
MR. HODGKINS-Okay, right. All the project would make sense to be done at once if
we are driving this to put it together. Number two. We are looking at here the cost of
this project that we are putting in here look underfunding source maybe somebody can
just correct me on this. I heard that there was an eighty, fifteen, five percent for the
highway. I also heard for the underground and private utilities it was also going to be an
eighty, fifteen, five is that correct or not?
SUPERVISOR STEC-That was the discussion we had before that is for about a five
hundred and change thousand dollar for the service lines from the main lines to the
properties.
MR. HODGKINS-From the main lines out okay.
SUPERVISOR STEC-That is eligible for a state and local match, right not the rest not the
betterments we have been talking about.
MR. HODGKINS-Looking at that it makes a better understanding what is coming up
here. Looking at the last of what we are looking at here, I think it is a point again this is
being driven by a short time period. I think if you are looking at another year the Town
has basically, I think decided they wanted to do something to improve that area. That
was a long time ago we are looking at our development of projects around the Town. I
think that is a done deal what we are going to do and I agree with it. The next phase is to
get the people the stakeholders that are in here. Are they willing to put in I think it is an
immediate thing you have to look in. The question comes up do we want to have
underground utilities, do you want to have overhead utilities. If you want to have those
then those people that are involved that are going to benefit from this need to be looking
at it and need to be coming up to this table right now saying we want it we are willing to
put up and work from there.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Not to interrupt and I apologize. That nine hundred thousand
dollars potential animal out there that is the acquisitions costs if that goes away that may
pull these numbers away from the brink of being unreasonable or outrageous back into
being marginally acceptable.
MR. HODGKINS-I guess my big point this is being driven in a time frame now. We
have to make these decisions we have to move on if we go on five more years we are
going to have costs that are five times the size.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-And it is never going to get done.
MR. HODGKINS-And it is never going to get done and it looks like we have something
good to drive us.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-The other thing and you are right John by saying that the
right time to do it would be all at once. When you are doing the road, lighting, sidewalks
you are doing everything that makes to much sense John. The other way that we can do
this is phase it in. If we make a law saying that all private, developers as they go along
have to put at their expense the laterals in. First of all, so we make Niagara Mohawk put
in the nicer looking poles. Then as this redevelops, we have the private developers pay
for undergrounding the laterals that will happen over the years. Then as they develop, we
can also write into our code that certain amount of their forty-foot setback that an
easement would be provided for the potential future burial of these utilities. Years down
the road, we could eventually get there, but it is going to take years.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1022
COUNCILMAN BOOR-We would have to change our local law that is not in line with
the local law though.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-I am saying you could.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-We would have to change the local law it would weaken our
case with National Grid.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-This would be private developer.
MR. HODGKINS-I don’t think one thing we should do on this project is to wait for legal
decisions to be made. Legal, I don’t think is ever the way to count on somebody, excuse
me, pardon me.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-I would not encourage expecting anything real soon it will
continue on.
MR. HODGKINS-To move forward every time we get involved in a legal suit is costing
more and more money something we should avoid as a Town. My whole thing is your
time frame is going let’s move ahead let’s make some decisions based on there is a
driving force here.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Is there anyone else that would like to comment on this public
hearing.
BETTY MONAHAN, QUEENSBURY, SUNNYSIDE-My question has to do with safety
and convenience. I know what our windstorms, snowstorms, lightning, etc., do to our
overhead lights believe me I know so my question is what can affect the underground
utilities.
SUPERVISOR STEC-In answer to your question if you are looking for an answer in
addition to aesthetics the argument that the Town made a few years ago when we created
this local law was predominately safety and aesthetics and economic development the
value here. Certainly, I think you can argue that they would be a lot more safe than
overhead. There are statistics we talked about the Town Board we talked about them
there is less down time.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-There is less down time fewer electrical interruptions.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Right so it is more reliable. The downside is that when you do
need to actually get into the gear it is more expensive to get into the gear underground,
but you have to go in less frequently than you do to mess around with overhead
equipment.
MRS. MONAHAN-Plus the fact you have the safety of the poles not being there for the
cars etc.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Exactly that was a big factor when we started down this path.
MRS. MONAHAN-I think that has to weigh heavily on how you look at this sometimes
cost isn’t the only thing that is the most important thing.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-The other thing too is National Grid if they have a certain
amount of down time then they are suppose to make then if that exceeds a certain amount
then they are suppose to make an investment into the system to upgrade it so that the
future down times will be less they are at that point. They are suppose to make
investments into their infrastructure to reduce down time why not right here.
MRS. MONAHAN-Agree.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to comment on
this public hearing?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1023
DON DANIELS-I own four different buildings our there in West Glens Falls on Main
Street. Over the course of the summer, I have been dealing with Hite and they have been
coercing me, coercing all the property owners out there, and threatening all of them if
you don’t sign these papers, eminent domain is going to take your property away. My
properties are all on the north side of the road where I was told about three feet would be
taken across the front, which eliminates twenty of my vehicles that could park there. One
of my buildings won’t even have an entrance it will be completely cut off; it will not have
an entrance. I had these gentlemen over here were there and visited with me people from
the County where there. They said there is no way they can give me an entrance in one
of my buildings so only two of my buildings will have a driveway. People on the south
side I believe they are taking five feet. Now, Roger you made a comment about the depth
of the properties. Certainly, Mr. Strough you said about putting up plazas no plazas are
going to be put up in a hundred foot depth of property.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-The thinking is they are going to buy the property in back
of the project.
MR. DANIELS-Yes, I am the guy I wish that I would own some of those properties
behind the front properties because the values will increase they are paying practically
nothing. I am a Real Estate Broker; I have had a license for forty years I have my own
office in Glens Falls. I asked the gentlemen from Hite for comparables of where he
comes up with these low figures that he is giving of the pennies he is going to pay per
square foot. A month later he sent me, some comparables one was on Bay Road down
here a piece of swampland that is up by I think where one of Richie Schermerhorn’s
buildings is. I think when I went there and tried to sight it out it is the big hole that he
dug for the water retentions I think that is one of the comparables he gave me. Another
one was in South Glens Falls on Route 9, Moreau just bare land. I was told that the
buildings didn’t make any difference even though they are taking the front of the property
the buildings have no bearing on it because there is federal money in it they only go by
the amount of land that you have. We are talking about the underground easements. I
was told that they are only going to buy what they need for the sidewalks. The
underground easements they are going to come back afterwards and take three to five feet
on each side of the road. If that is going to be the case then they are not going to pay
anybody for it they are just going to take it I am sure that is a concern to everybody.
Everybody is getting a different deal I don’t know where there is a list of who is getting
what, but you have already run into some of them. I don’t know Mr. Brewer you didn’t
make too many comments that is your district out there.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-I have not heard any prices of what any person has been
offered or has gotten.
MR. DANIELS-You should go and knock on some of the people’s doors they will bring
you to tears some of the shenanigans that are being pulled.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-This is the first I heard of them Don I have not heard this at
all from anybody.
MR. DANIELS-I have been dealing with them this summer. Some of these people on the
south side of the road where they are going to take five feet they are almost going to be
right up because we already own ten or twelve feet of the grass, that was already owned
by the County. If they take another five feet, they are going to be up to some people’s
porches, and steps. Then if they need another three to five feet, they are going to have to
cut their porch off to do it so those are some of my comments anyway.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thank you, Mr. Daniels. Anybody else like to comment on this
public hearing tonight.
JOHN SALVADOR-Good evening, my name is John Salvador. I always thought
underground utilities was a great idea. I took a lot of effort in my days to accomplish that
on property that I managed. When you had the public hearing on these corridors, these
transportation corridors and you were talking about the requirement for underground
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1024
utilities I asked one simple question who pays that didn’t seem to be a big concern then
now you are faced with it. In any case, I have a couple of questions I would like to ask.
The page entitled Main Street History Continued the last item says National Grid Tariff
Approved July 2007 what does that amount to what is this all about?
SUPERVISOR STEC-The answer to that John is that on heals of the Town Local Law
and the submission of National Grid’s Lawsuit against the Town, National Grid went
after that and sought from the Public Service Commission the Tariff that would apply
going forward to other municipalities. The Town of Queensbury in our Local Law is
exempt from that, but that was recently approved going forward. If there is another
community in the State that says, hey we want underground utilities on our Main Street
and we want National Grid to pay for it that they got a tariff situation that is set up that’s
been approved with the Public Service Commission we predate theirs so we are not
subject to it.
MR. SALVADOR-Okay. Going to reconstruction three-lane section. What are the
boundaries of the County owned right-a-way?
SUPERVISOR STEC-The County is also using R.K. Hite. I know Mr. Daniels
mentioned before that they have been out there. They have been out there also talking
about the utilities, but separately for the County. R.K. Hite is also being used to acquire
property for the County’s right-a-way for the purpose of the highway. That is a different
easement than the underground utility easement that we were talking about they are
securing them. It is my understanding they are more or less finished or very close to
being finished acquiring those easement so same company, but different easements.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-They are actually acquiring the title to the portion that is for
the widening as opposed to an easement for the utilities.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I am sorry they are actually getting title to widen the road.
MR. SALVADOR-There is an important difference.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I apologize that is right, title.
MR. SALVADOR-Again what are the boundaries I can’t tell from this cross section.
SUPERVISOR STEC-It varies from property to property.
MR. SALVADOR-No.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Perhaps we will ask Barton & Loguidice to answer that question
when you are finished.
MR. SALVADOR-This is a typical cross section of road.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Right.
MR. SALVADOR-An easement for highway runs this way it doesn’t go in and out
depending on the property. Are the lampposts on the County proposed ownership, the
lamppost, the sidewalk?
SUPERVISOR STEC-I think Don is going to jump in next to you and answer a couple of
those.
MR. FLETCHER-The pedestrian scale lightening and the sidewalks are shown within the
road right-a-way, right here.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-How wide is that is that your question John.
MR. FLETCHER-You want to know where the right-a-way lines and the cross section
they are essentially on I will call it the parcel side of the sidewalk.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1025
COUNCILMAN BREWER-And how wide is that.
MR. SALVADOR-Next question how wide is that.
MR. FLETCHER-The whole thing.
MR. SALVADOR-Yeah.
MR. FLETCHER-That, I don’t know off the top of my head.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-About within.
MR. SALVADOR-What’s the roadway.
MR. FLETCHER-That’s what I am doing.
MR. SALVADOR-All you have to do is add.
MR. FLETCHER-That’s what I am doing I was going to say it is probably sixty feet
wide.
MR. SALVADOR-Sixty feet. The purpose of the county acquiring land by eminent
domain or otherwise the purpose for that is to provide for not only the roadway, but the
associated utilities including sidewalks, everything, gas lines.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Sidewalks and sewer will be within the County’s…
MR. SALVADOR-Why can’t we find a way to put the power, cable, telephone within
those boundaries.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Don do you have an answer for that. Why don’t we put them in
the middle of the street?
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I suggested this earlier John at a previous workshop. Typically
in California it is done is vaults they can be right in the center of the street. If you think
these numbers were high, you should have seen the numbers for that they wanted like
five hundred thousand dollars a vault or something.
SUPERVISOR STEC-It was crazy money.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I mean man I want that job I’ve got to tell you.
SUPERVISOR STEC-It was a lot more money.
MR. SALVADOR-It doesn’t have to be that okay.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I know it doesn’t.
MR. SALVADOR-Why can’t these lines be put in conduit.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-They are.
MR. FLETCHER-We have had many discussions with them about the location. One of
the things we talked many meetings on was sliding all the private utilities in within the
right-a-way talking about just what we did they said per their standards they do not do
that.
MR. SALVADOR-Whose standards?
MR. FLETCHER-National Grid.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1026
MR. SALVADOR-Maybe we need new standards.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-We can’t dictate their standards John.
SUPERVISOR STEC-We are having a hard time resolving whether or not they have to
underground a one-mile stretch in Queensbury that’s another lawsuit.
MR. SALVADOR-It’s no wondering you can’t fit this in you don’t have a specification
for it. Is there any good reason why all of these electrical utilities can’t be run right down
the center of that third lane?
COUNCILMAN BOOR-That’s what I suggested that is exactly what I suggested.
MR. SALVADOR-What is the cost.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Five hundred thousand dollars a vault.
MR. SALVADOR-No, no, no.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I am telling you it was an incredible amount of money.
SUPERVISOR STEC-It wasn’t percentages more it was multiples more. It has been a
while, but it was….
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-John you are trying to make some sense here you know
dealing with National Grid; the two don’t mix together well.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-They don’t want to do it John that is why they are
threatening us with the costs.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-They are not threatening they are.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-Of being so much they don’t want to do it because it is going
to set a precedent for not only here for everywhere around the northeast and they do not
want to do that.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Not that I want to talk about the litigation too much I don’t want to
weaken, but the thing is it has been difficult.
MR. SALVADOR-If these are insurmountable problems then you have an ill-conceived
project you ought to fold your tent, but underground utilities is a fantastic way to go.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Is there anyone else that would like to comment on this public
hearing. Seeing none, I had a brief… over here if there are no objections from the other
side of the board, I for one I am bothered, as I know Richard and Roger are and the whole
board about that. …..Don and Rich that…of six from Verizon. I think what we like to
do is to close this public hearing we would like some additional information. For starters,
we would like to get some sort of resolution if it means getting Verizon to the table or at
least having Verizon meet with our Attorney we would like to get some better
justification on those numbers.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-And also we have to come up with the realization that maybe
we are not willing to pay nine hundred and twenty thousand dollars to people whose
properties are going to be improved let’s close this.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-Can I suggest that you adjourn it rather than close it.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I make a recommendation that we adjourn this do we need a
second.
SUPERVISOR STEC-We are done with the public hearing I don’t think that we want to
take action tonight on this. I think we want some additional information one is the
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1027
Verizon and I had two more one of which Roger just touched on. That I would like to
communicate something to the property owners hey, you know this is a showstopper here
if we don’t get some cooperation on these easements. The third thing that I would like to
mention I led with it is that I was intrigued as an alternative the devil may very well be in
the details it may be an attractive alternative to National Grid to work with the Town on.
I would like to get some more information maybe some costs estimates maybe something
firm from National Grid about candle sticking.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-I like that, too.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Those are the three things.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-Here is another thing why don’t we get Senator Little and
Assemblywoman Sayward to help us out. This is the introduction to Queensbury and it is
the introduction to Glens Falls. You have two communities being introduced we want to
do it nicely and right. We want to see economic development both of us this helps
everybody.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I am not going to argue with that either. I would add that as a
fourth. I am not saying I am looking at you Don I am not saying that all four of those fall
on your shoulders those are the four items that I think….
COUNCILMAN BREWER-I like to talk to R.K. Hite again.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-My suggestion on the adjournment rather than the closing is if
you wanted to receive that information as part of your public hearing.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Just say to adjourn it or do we need a motion or a second.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-I would adopt a resolution to adjourn it. My point is if you
want to receive that additional information as part of your public hearing that is why I
would adjourn rather than close.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-We didn’t need to do this to begin.
SUPERVISOR STEC-You are saying leave it open that is the terminology you haven’t
been here.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Either way it is the same thing Dan.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I just wanted to verify. Historically I would say adjourn I would
say leave it open. We will carry this public hearing open you are saying adjourn that’s
the same thing.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-Yes, leave it open is probably a better way to phrase it.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Don’t say that because I am sitting here you are the Attorney you
can say whatever you want.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-The point being is that you are going to receive more public
comment.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I would like to include that as part of the public hearing. If there
is, anybody watching that wants to provide us written comment or whatever so we will
leave this public hearing open, we will close it at a later date. We may or may not
actually take more verbal comment at a later date perhaps we will I don’t think we are
going to leave this open very long.
ATTORNEY NOORDSY-I think if you were going to take more public comment in this
fashion, it would be good to notice that again and publish that.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Understood.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1028
NO ACTION TAKEN
PUBLIC HEARING TO REMAIN OPEN
2.0HEARINGS
HEARING – BASKET BARN OF LAKE GEORGE APPLICATION FOR
VARIANCE/WAIVER REQUEST FROM SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION
REQUIREMENT SET FORTH IN TOWN CODE CHAPTER 136-SEWERS AND
SEWAGE DISPOSAL
APPLICANT PAULINE WILSON
OPENED
SUPERVISOR STEC-We have had several of these before. The folks are not going to be
connecting this is a waiver from making that physical connection. However, financially
they are treated; as though they are still part of the district tied in, there is no financial
disadvantage to the district it is for convenience for the property owner. Is the applicant
here that would like to comment on this? You don’t have too, but certainly I think it is
going to be easy you are here you waited for us I appreciate it. If you want us, just again
state your name and address for the record. Did I say anything that was wrong you just
want to tie in at a later date?
PAULINE WILSON, PUTNEY VERMONT-I am putting the property on the market it is
vacant. Actually, there is somebody in there just for a couple of weeks after the
Halloween season it is vacant.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Does anybody have any questions for the applicant. Hearing none,
I will close this hearing and entertain a motion.
HEARING CLOSED
APPROVING
RESOLUTION BASKET BARN OF LAKE
GEORGE’S APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE/WAIVER REQUEST
FROM SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION REQUIREMENT SET
FORTH IN TOWN CODE CHAPTER 136 – SEWERS AND SEWAGE
DISPOSAL
RESOLUTION NO.: 416, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board is authorized by Town Code Chapter 136
§
to issue variances from 136-44 “Connection to sewers required” which requires Town
property owners situated within a sewer district and located within 250’ of a public sanitary
sewer of the sewer district to connect to the public sewer facilities within one (1) year from
the date of notice, and
WHEREAS, Basket Barn of Lake George (Applicant) applied to the Town Board
§
for a second variance/waiver from Town Code 136-44 for a second extension of the
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1029
Town’s connection requirements to connect its property located at 1457 State Route 9 to the
Town of Queensbury’s Route 9 Sewer District as the Applicant states that the building is not
in use and will be on the market to sell, and the property’s current septic system is
functioning properly, as more fully set forth in the Applicant’s application, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk’s Office mailed a Notice of Hearing to the Applicant
and the Town Board conducted a hearing concerning the variance/waiver request on
th
September 24, 2007,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that
a) due to the nature of the variance/waiver request, the Queensbury Town Board
would not
determines that the temporary granting of the variance/waiver be
materially detrimental to the purposes and objectives of Queensbury Town Code
Chapter 136 and/or adjoining properties or otherwise conflict with the purpose
and objectives of any plan or policy of the Town of Queensbury; and
is
b) the Town Board finds that the granting of the variance/waiver reasonable and
would
alleviate unnecessary hardship on the applicant; and
BE IT FURTHER,
approves
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby Basket Barn of
Lake George’s application for a variance/waiver from Queensbury Town Code Chapter 136,
§
grants
136-44 “Connection to sewers required” and hereby Basket Barn of Lake George a
th
one-year extension of time or until September 24, 2008 in which to connect its property
located at 1457 State Route 9, Queensbury (Tax Map No.: 288.-1-57) to the Town of
provided that if there is any change in property
Queensbury’s Route 9 Sewer District,
use, increase in septic use or additional bathroom facilities added, then such variance
shall immediately terminate unless the Queensbury Town Board review and approves
a new application for a variance/waiver, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that Basket Barn of Lake George shall pay all charges due as if
its property was connected to the Route 9 Sewer District, and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1030
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes the Town Supervisor, Wastewater
Director and/or Town Fiscal Manager to take any actions necessary to effectuate the terms
of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
3.0 CORRESPONDENCE
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK, O’BRIEN-Supervisor’s Monthly Report for Community
Development for August 2007 on file in the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town Supervisor
turned over to the Town Clerk and Town Board Members on September 17, 2007 the
Tentative Budget.
rd
SUPERVISOR STEC-Workshops to be held regarding budget for October 3, and
th
October 10, 2007, at 6:30 p.m., Preliminary Budget for October 15, 2007.
4.0 INTRODUCTION OF RESOLUTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-Requested a Resolution Establishing Date, Time and Place
for a roundtable discussion for a Workshop Meeting to discuss Shoreline Critical
Environmental Areas Concerns and Language that might serve as a model for lakeside
community. On October 9, 2007 would like to hold a meeting with Members of the Lake
George Association, Members of the Fund for Lake George, people from the Darien
Institute and other interested parties. After further discussion, the board agreed to notice
the meeting in the paper for October 9, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Queensbury Activity
Center a meeting with the Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Town Board Members
among other members involved in lakeside issues to discuss critical environmental areas
issues.
5.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR
JOHN SALVADOR-Spoke to the board regarding a letter that was addressed to the
Town Board requesting that his request for a zoning change that is two years old be
reinstated noting he has not received an answer yet.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Part A of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan is completed noting
they are in the middle of budget season we have the Zoning Ordinance to wrap up.
Believes the intention was to try to wrap up the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code
before we consider any of these. The time line that we are on right now it may be
December or January before we adopt a Zoning Code.
MR. SALVADOR-Noted that with the Comprehensive Plan there are no changes
recommended in these two zones.
SUPERVISOR STEC- Does not think the new Comprehensive Plan is tremendously
different from the 1998 Comprehensive Plan.
MR. SALVADOR-Spoke to the board noting there have been a number of unorthodox
events happening at the Planning and Zoning Board Meetings. Asked how can the
Planning Board Members who will eventually rule and vote on a site plan approval how
can they rule on that if they participate in a review of the project.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-It is like a sketch plan they can have a discussion.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1031
MR. SALVADOR-Have the applicant submit the application.
SENIOR PLANNER, MR. BAKER-The application was submitted it is available for
review.
MR. SALVADOR-Spoke to the board regarding a letter he received in the mail from Mr.
Ralph Macchio noting he has a couple of concerns. Is prepared to answer some of the
issues that they bring up needs to know what is at the bottom of this, asked if the
Councilman can add anything.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I would be more than happy to address that issue. Actually, I
prepared a little something for Town Board discussion, but since you brought it up, I am
going to take the time now because it is incredibly important. I think when anybody from
outside the area who isn’t registered to vote in Queensbury or Warren County tries to
affect the election primary I think it is a sad day. What, I am going to do John I am going
to give you a chronically of the facts. I have substantiation; I have documentation that I
can show you right now that will repute everything that Mr. Macchio has claimed. So,
what I would say as while still acting Warren County Republication Committee
Chairman, Michael O’Connor brought before the Queensbury Planning Board in the
spring of 2006 an application for a road up French Mountain. He was representing Ralph
Macchio and several of his LLC’s. The problem facing the Planning Board relative to
this application was threefold. 1. The road was already constructed to a large degree so
imagine how the Planning Board felt when they were to look and review the
contemplation of a road to be built only to find out that it is already constructed. 2.
There were and still are ongoing lawsuits disputing land over which this road was
constructed. Now, the Planning Board is supposed to make a ruling and yet they don’t
even know who owns the property upon which this road was constructed. 3. In order to
do a non-segmented SEQRA Review the Town would have to get the Town of Lake
George to sign off on any environmental review it might contemplate. The issue here
that is problematic is that the time this application came to the Planning Board the same
law firm represented Lake George and Queensbury so the fiduciary responsibility of the
Attorney would be compromised this presented a conflict. The Town Board was asked at
this point and time to find an Attorney that was conflicted. This is the first of three
instances where the Town Board were involved in this whole thing. I can say personally,
I called about five or six law firms in the Town of Queensbury and all of them had had
dealings with either the Stranahan’s, the Spellburg’s, or the Macchio’s, and some others
who were involved in some cases. One of the Attorney’s that I talked to who was very
good in environmental disputes recommended the law firm of Dreyer and Boyajian out of
Albany I called them and they did end up taking the case. The Zoning Administrator for
the Town of Queensbury issued a stopped work order and worked with our Attorney from
Dreyer Boyajian on issues that needed to be addressed amounting to some nineteen
potential violations that occurred on the mountain. If we jump forward in time and look
at statements from Behan Communications and Mr. Macchio, I think you are going to see
some glaring contradictions of fact. 1. Mr. Macchio claims he has never been sued or
sued anyone. Relative to that that statement was made on June 5, 2007 it says right here
and it was signed by Behan Communications. We have never sued anyone nor been
sued. Now, what is interesting about that is on January 31, of this year Mr. Macchio was
involved with a lawsuit with the Town of Queensbury. He was involved with a lawsuit
with Stranahan Industries. He was involved with a lawsuit Scott Spellburg. What, I am
holding here is a 1990 lawsuit Macchio verses the Planning Board, Town of East
Hampton interesting very similar things have taken place here. We are talking about
development on slopes that were twenty percent it is very similar to what the Town of
Queensbury is facing. We see that in fact he wasn’t telling the truth with regards to
having never been sued or sued anybody. 2. Mr. Macchio said the board has been
unwilling to meet and try to settle without going to court. Within a month of filing, the
suit the Town offered in fact to meet with Mr. Macchio, his Attorney, and the Attorney’s
representing Stranahan Industries also named in the Town’s lawsuit as it was unclear who
owned the properties where the violations occurred. This wasn’t a vendetta against Mr.
Macchio some personal thing the Town wanted corrections made where violations
occurred. This was the second involvement that the Town had to corroborate that in fact
this took place because clearly Behan Communications and Mr. Macchio challenge
everything. I have here a bill from our Attorney Dreyer Boyajian on 11/7/06 telephone
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1032
call to John Hardwick regarding settlement meeting. Now, Mr. Hardwick is the Attorney
that represents Stranahan Industries. On 11/9/06 telephone call with Dan Hertaw,
regarding settlement meeting that is the new Attorney or one of the new Attorney’s for
Mr. Macchio. Now, we turn over to this page. On 11/21/06 settlement meeting with
defendants, okay we had this meeting with them and interestingly enough Stranahan
Industries agreed to everything we asked. We made a very generous offer to have this
thing go away Mr. Macchio said I will see you in court. Mr. Macchio has stated
repeatedly to the press and the public that the road was constructed by a previous owner.
MR. SALVADOR-May, I just interrupt a minute. I have here a list of the applications
and the approvals that Mr. Macchio obtained from the Town of Lake George. The first
one is a 2005 site plan review approval to timber harvest and construct an access road.
May, I just read one sentence.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Absolutely. While you are doing that, I am going to move the
easel because I think there are some interesting pictures the public would like to see.
MR. SALVADOR-The second is a 2006 site plan review to continue the use of a
preexisting gravel pit on the Wild West property.
SUPERVISOR STEC-In Lake George.
MR. SALVADOR-In Lake George. Mr. Macchio has represented before the Lake
George Town Planning Board by Mr. Michael O’Connor. Mr. O’Connor states as
follows. Attorney O’Connor stated that this application is to legitimized two preexisting
sand pits. I would read into that they were in some kind of violation.
SUPERVISOR STEC-John you know what let me interrupt you here. You five minutes
is up. 2. I am really not interested in the Town of Lake George issues this is an issue for
Lou Tessier. I understand what you are doing there is a seg way here and Roger is going
to go through his stick here that is fine. You want to talk about something that is going
on in the Town of Lake George go see Lou Tessier.
MR. SALVADOR-Mr. Stec I came here tonight.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-John let me finish and then you can come back up.
MR. SALVADOR-Mr. Stec I came here tonight because I received a letter in the mail
from Mr. Macchio.
SUPERVISOR STEC-You made that clear.
MR. SALVADOR-I am concern about the misrepresentation in this letter.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Correct, you made that clear. Thank you.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-That letter is not from the Town Board it is not Town Board
business.
SUPERVISOR STEC-That has to do with an issue in the Town of Lake George.
MR. SALVADOR-The point….
SUPERVISOR STEC-John your time is up sit in your seat your time is up.
MR. SALVADOR-He is on my time.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Your time is up the bell went off Roger is going to finish what he
is talking about.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Mr. Macchio has stated repeatedly to the press and the public
that the road was constructed by previous owners what, I would like to do now is show a
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1033
couple pictures of the road. (Presented pictures) This is an aerial view of what he is
calling a logging road. Here is another aerial view of the logging road and now I think it
gives the representation of the size of this logging road, I would like to show you some
close-up. Here is part of the construction of the logging road. Here is a piece of
apparatus with an eight foot blade on it so you can see that this road is at least thirty feet
wide right there very typical of this road. Here is where Mr. Macchio crossed the
Spellburg’s property and built a highway on Mr. Spellburg’s property how did he remedy
it he put a bunch of boulders across the road so nobody could go on it anymore. You can
see the amount of excavation that is done here. The storm water management that I
doubt very seriously DEC signed off on. Here is another picture of the logging road.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD-Is that all gravel on there.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-That is all blue gravel all blue stone. Here it is again nice job on
the…station. If you think DEC, signs off on that kind of logging you are sorely
mistaken. Here is another narrow shot of the road a logging road. Another shot of the
logging road. Now, we are looking at where Mr. Macchio drained Bear Pond two feet,
went in and cut down the wetlands that were designed. We have pictures of a….net that
was cut down you can see where these are fresh cuts; you can see where he tried to burn
the debris. This was all standing timber in water an incredible amount of waterfowl and
wildlife habitat was destroyed. This used to be pond here it has now drained you can see
where he is getting ready to burn another pile of wood here. Here is his logging road as it
goes along where he cleared this is what he calls a nice logging job. There is part of his
road here is another picture of his logging road. Here is the erosion control Mr. Macchio
feels that is appropriate. I can guarantee DEC does not sign off on that kind of road and
there is another shot of the road. I think those pictures say a lot, but I think this is going
to say more. As, I stated earlier Mr. Macchio had said that the road was constructed by a
previous owner. I hold here one of the invoices from a company known as Evergreen
Timber Corporation it is in the amount of two hundred and twenty three thousand dollars
let, me read the accompanying letter that was with this invoice. It is dated from
Evergreen Timber Corporation dated May 12, 2006. To, Mr. Ralph Macchio, 1727
Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 400, Islandia, New York 11749 Mr. Macchio:
In regards to your letter dated April 28, 2006, I think you have a misunderstanding about
our agreement. The contract stated purchaser will construct a four-wheel drive road from
materials readily available on site if practical. However, as time went on you wanted the
road improved to a far more extensive and usable roadway that is now useable to all
vehicles most of the year. Materials to improve the road to this extent include fabric,
pipe, rubble, along with renting equipment and man-hours it is very costly. Not to
mention the cost to make the road in compliance with DEC for storm water runoff all this
was paid out of my pocket. At times, you asked me if I needed money and I told you we
would settle up in the end therefore, you must have recognized the cost to build this road.
It is not feasible that I could construct a road of this magnitude to the top of French
Mountain for the amount of money realized from the timber value. I am not going to
read the last sentence because it has an individual’s name who I think may be filing an
additional lawsuit; I don’t think it would be fair to do that without having his consent.
Clearly, this is a receipt for Mr. Macchio building this road it is just undeniable. Mr.
Macchio says, repeatedly has no development plans okay, let’s look at one of the issues
that is involved in the Stranahan’s Industries lawsuit. That is the deed, it is the
conveyance, and in it, now this is what Mr. Macchio is saying as a logging road. It says,
access easement to include, but not limited to lumbering equipment, construction
equipment, and heavy trucking. The above conveyance is subject to the following
covenants and conditions. The easements shall be used for ingress and egress to lands of
the parties of the second that would be Mr. Macchio. For the construction and laying of
utilities from Bay Road to lands of the party of the second so he wants utilities for his
logging road, okay. Let us look at this I think this might be of interest also. I apologize
for the quality of this it is a reproduction of something that is evidence in another case. I
think it is a clear indication of what we are talking about right here is French Mountain it
says forty six hundred linear feet of road, thirty four lots, one point two acres to three
acres and it says recreation community here you can see the thirty four lots. You go over
here this line points right up to this slash right here what does it say here it says public
recreation area tents, pools, horses, etc, and possibly sanitary sewage plant. Here is Bear
Pond where I showed you all the clear-cutting that occurred let’s look what it says about
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1034
Bear Pond. It says start of trail system for pond area and recreation center with docks,
boats, lean twos and cabins for homeowners association. At some point, I don’t know
what it takes to get this public awakened to what is going on here. I am sick and tired of
Behan Communications misrepresenting fact. Yes, they are paid handsomely and they do
a wonderful job, but you the public are suffering when they do what they have been
doing in this instance. For Mr. Macchio to continue and maintain that he is just building
a logging road is absurd. 5. Mr. Macchio claimed that I trespassed this is not true and I
have a letter here from Craig Brown I will read. You asked whether or not I had any
recollection of a site visit to the Macchio-Stranahan site with you last summer. I do have
a recollection and that is this. We went to the site to drive the road from Bay Road and
Stranahan’s side. We met with Mr. Macchio and he provided us access through the lock
gate on that occasion. 6. You will also see from the pictures well you have seen the
pictures of the endangered species and habitat. Lastly, the last involvement the third time
this Town Board was involved was what Mr. Macchio refers to as the setup that we set
him up imagine that. That was well publicized most recently in the paper it was clearly
only done so that he could write the letter that you are referencing make it appear that the
Town wasn’t working with him. I would encourage as I have written in the paper people
need to go on line they need to read the 8/27/07 minutes of that meeting. Councilman
Sanford and I were courteous, we were respectful everything that has been said and
written about that meeting is false just like everything else I pointed out here. If the
public is going to buy this kind of stuff there is not much I can do as a Councilman to
help you out. If you are watching this on TV tell your neighbors I will supply pictures, I
will give this documentation to anybody that wants it. I am not going to sit back and let
Behan Communications and Mr. Macchio ruin this community and set the kind of
precedent that money can buy anything in this Town its got to stop here and its got to
stop now. This is a watershed event because if he succeeds in what he is doing up there
you can just kiss everything goodbye.
MR. SALVADOR-Understand. I just like to wrap up a couple of my comments.
SUPERVISOR STEC-John you have been twenty minutes so far.
MR. SALVADOR-I will wrap it up.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thank you.
MR. SALVADOR-Mr. Macchio is concerned and led me to believe that he was being
forced to close his business because of everything that is going on. I did a little research
in that regard and I can substantiate that he had a plan to close that business a long time
before this Town got involved. I have here the advertising brochures.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-John this isn’t the time or place for that it really isn’t.
SUPERVISOR STEC-John your five minutes expired.
MR. SALVADOR-May, I.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-Tell him no Dan.
MR. SALVADOR-I have here the advertising brochures from 2005, 2006, and 2007. In
2005, they advertised, 2006 they did not advertised. There is no evidence that they
obtained their liquor license. There is no evidence that they made application to the New
York State Health Department to operate a restaurant. These are activities that have to be
done well in advance of a decision to close a business. Who in their right mind would
close a business just before the giant cash flow benefit of a seasonal business it doesn’t
make any sense at all I will answer Mr. Macchiio’s letter.
JOHN STRANAHAN-Lifelong citizen of the Town and a taxpayer in this Town, I am
not a politician I never addressed this board before, but feel compelled to do so now. I
think just about the entire North Country is aware of the Macchio scandal. To tell you the
truth I am sick and tired of hearing about it. Sick and tired of lies and his public
communication company. Sick and tired of the poor Macchio’s and the Karate Kid
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1035
Story. I want to know what action is being taken to protect us the citizens, the locals, like
Roger is talking about.
SUPERVISOR STEC-We are in a lawsuit.
MR. STRANAHAN-There is we are party to that lawsuit.
SUPERVISOR STEC-That is what I am saying you asked a question I was telling you
that we are engaged in litigation.
MR. STRANAHAN-Correct. What are we going to do about the violations on that
mountain? I know other people I am not going to bring any names and slander anybody
else or get anybody involved in it. I know that people have been fined and disciplinary
actions brought down on them so far I have seen nothing happen to the Macchio’s,
nothing for two years the man has done anything he has wanted to. He has walked all
over this Town. He has walked all over the people. He has walked all over the voters.
He has bought his way to build a highway from Bay Road to Route 9 just like he told me
to my face that he would do. We have been threatened we have been threatened to be
thrown off our property to be run out of business what is the Town doing about it.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-You know exactly what we are doing about it we are in
litigation with it we are not going to discuss here tonight.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-That is why Roger Boor deserves the credit because he is
doing something about it.
MR. STRANAHAN-Absolutely, my hats off to Roger.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH-He is not sitting aside.
MR. STRANAHAN-For having a backbone and for standing up for it. I grew up on
French Mountain. I hiked that mountain, fished on that mountain in Bear Pond; four
wheeled up there have hunted up there my entire life. What has happened on that
mountain is flat out disgusting nothing but disgusting. This is a hundred foot wide
Northway from Bay Road to Route 9; I am sick and tired of it being called a logging
road. I have log, I log for a living my entire family everybody in this Town knows that.
We run a great business we have a good reputation we do good work I have never seen a
hundred foot wide logging road with blue stone on it with a power easement in my life,
ever. I have logged that property myself that same exact property it didn’t need to be
logged when he logged it there was no timber left on it to log that is why there is no value
to pay for the road that Mr. Barber writes about in his letter from Evergreen Timber.
There was no logging to be done on that road this is a joke this is a flat out joke. He
illegally butchered and cutoff and clear-cut over thirty acres of property. He cut off the
streams he flooded by business, my mulch yard where my Mom and Dad live and where
our business is. This year it has never happened before in my entire life to have our
entire yard have the County come up and clean Bay Road because the mulch is out in the
road some six hundred feet, eight hundred feet from the pile because its flooded with the
violations that have gone on up there. He destroyed the wildlife habitat you have seen
the photos of Bear Pond and what he has done up there nobody has done a thing besides
the Town of Queensbury, no one else. I am not really pointing the finger at the Town to
you guys my hats off so far the Town of Queensbury is the only one to step up and
protect its people. The Town of Lake George hasn’t done a damn thing for what he has
done they give him their hats off hey, good job Ralph go to Town big money that is what
its all about. I have news for this Town I am not going anywhere. My kids aren’t going
anywhere. I am going to start being at these Town Board Meetings and being active in
what’s going on in this Town because what is going on around here is disgusting. The
fact that the letter went out I got that letter two days before the elections that this has
turned political instead of being about the case law. I will stand here and tell it like it is
the man is a liar a flat out liar there is nothing in that letter that’s true. He tells everyone
that he is the victim the Town has treated him unfairly. There is nothing in the Post Star
about my brother, and myself, and my Dad, and my Mom, and my wife, and our kids, and
our business how we have suffered. How we are enduring hundred of thousand of dollars
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1036
with the legal fees that we have to do to work for and cut trees everyday to pay those
legal fees no taxpayers, no sponsorships, nobody is endorsing us and giving us any
money to pay to stay in business. We have been threatened to our face told that we
would be out of business in five years he would see us out of business that he will do
what he wants to do, when is this going to stop. The real victims obviously outside of the
mountain and the wildlife what he did up there is irrevocable he is not going to fix any of
that. Roger is quoted here tonight our agreement I was party to that meeting with the
lawyers in Albany last year. We agreed as Stranahan Industries as the owner of
Stranahan Industries now that we wanted put back the way it was absolutely…we would
agree to every stipulation the Town asked for everyone we had no problem.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-And that’s correct.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I remember that.
MR. STRANAHAN-Nothing is being done the case is sitting in limbo.
SUPERVISOR STEC-You heard about another the National Grid case that one closed up
about two years ago.
MR. STRANAHAN-Yeah. We have been lied to we have been trespassed on we had our
property butchered balled. I was party to a meeting with Mr. Macchio prior to the
purchase of the property that he claims that he illegally had that Mike O’Connor sold him
with David. I was party to a meeting with Mr. Macchio prior to the sale making him
aware of the fact that David didn’t own that property and didn’t have any right to sell it to
him.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thanks John.
MR. STRANAHAN-Bought it anyways.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thanks. Is there anyone else that would like to address the Town
Board this evening the other Mr. Stranahan.
SKIP STRANAHAN-I will try to be brief here. I think everybody here knows me. I
been six foot two, two hundred and ninety pounds most of my life. I don’t need a public
speaker to speak for me Macchio’s facts are lies. I want to read you a little email that my
wife sent to the Post Star. I want the people of Queensbury to be aware that there are
people that have known about this for at least two years and have done nothing. My wife
sent this on 9/13/2007 to the Post Star an email. The Macchio articles by Behan
Communications are somewhat disingenuous to say the least a ploy on words half-truths
designed to deceive the public. The Stranahan Family has no desire to have a blue stone
permanent access road sixty to a hundred feet wide with a pole line easement traversing
over French Mountain most of the log roads on French Mountain were put there by the
Stranahan’s have been there for forty years. The timber has already been cut to a
management spec before they cut it so there is nothing up there that needed to be cut.
This is not part of her email, but this is a statement that I am making. The Bear Pond
Trail has been in existence since the Griffin Lumber Company goes back a hundred
years. French Mountain Lumber Company has paid taxes in this area for over forty
years. The Stranhan’s have been here since 1885 so we are not likely to do a mess like
this. I read the letter and I found it strange the letter that came from Macchio came the
same day that the other letter from the Republican Party that they both ended up in my
mailbox the same day. I refer to the letter as a love letter I think it is just about like
threatening the Town and telling them to go home. What, I like to say here is our taxes
alone will pay for the lawsuit. Our sales tax revenue we collect we spent over a million
dollars before June in the Town of Queensbury. We purchased over five hundred
thousand dollars worth of land in the Town before June. I think that our sales tax revenue
will cover the lawsuit. To finish what she had to say about this we actually had
Dickinson’s Surveyors measure this road sixty to a hundred and twenty six feet wide.
Have any of the Town Board Members ever seen a log road that is a hundred and twenty
six wide in places.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1037
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Bay Road isn’t.
MR. STRANAHAN-They could be referred to as a log road because we dragged logs
down it for the last forty years. I mean if that is where we are going to with it but, I think
this is equivalent to Bay Road the width of it in places. The part about the fire truck
going up it I am sure it can get up it because a tractor-trailer came down it this is not a log
road. I was in the log business with my father we started French Mountain Lumber
Company in the fifties with George Stiles this is just a...joke that he is pulling on the
people here. I am not sure it is not becoming a soap opera or something to go with what
she said. She said let’s talk about the criminal trespass on Spellburg or the thirty two
point five acre clear cut that they asked for a permit for themselves. They deny it now,
but they asked for it. Maybe we could talk about the bird habitat they leveled in the
registered wetlands at Bear Pond about six acres or more it is all first hand knowledge.
Read the paper take a hike see it for yourself the people that are doing all this talking they
should go up and investigate don’t we have an investigated reporter.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Skip you bring up an interesting point and when you give one of
these presentations, you always forgot some things. One of the things that I have
requested from day one is that if Mr. Macchio is comfortable with characterizing this as a
logging road then by all means he should remove those barricades and each and everyone
of you and anybody else in this Town ought to be able to take a ride up there and see
what he is calling a logging road.
JOHN STRANAHAN-Let the public see it.
SKIP STRANAHAN-Let the public see it open the gates let the public see it we have had
a lot of time for the grass to grow.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Then he won’t need a communications media firm.
MR. STRANAHAN-Lets stop some of the lies here and get on with the process. This is
ridiculous I brought with me a paper that was printed on June 23, 2006. I don’t know if
you would let me hang it on the board or not or you want to see it. I think this picture
pretty much says it all right here. This is first hand knowledge what is going on up there
some either people have chose to cover it up or either look the other way. This is first
hand knowledge just read through his statements he says he didn’t know what was going
on up there some other people were doing some things. The moral of the story is here
folks is it is a permanent access road and he paid the bill. Where I went to school, the
man that paid the bill was the responsible party.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thanks Skip.
MR. STRANAHAN-I don’t know if I said it well or not like I said, I am not a public
speaker either.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-You did fine.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thanks Skip good seeing you.
MR. STRANAHAN-Good seeing you. I think he has road wild over the Town Board
and the politics here are disgusting.
DAVID STRAINER, RIDGE ROAD, QUEENSBURY-I, too had a lot of questions about
what has just been said. I have read the letter that came to the people didn’t come to me I
am a Democrat, but the Republicans that I knew gave it to me. I thought when I saw that
it was quite coincidental that it would come three days before a primary. It brought a
little saying that I would like to share with you. It says that when evil will prevail when
good men sit and do nothing. It is very profound because that is evil what they have done
up there. I have never heard one person tell me that they done some good. I would like
to expand on what John Salvador said, you know I might have been born at night, but it
wasn’t last night. When these people have the money they have to spend when they say
they can’t open their business, but they have tens of thousands of dollars that they can
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1038
spend on Attorney’s on a public relations firm, and a mailing, come on that is just
obvious that they have done something wrong and they are trying to hide it in my
opinion. I think the other thing that has always bothered me the most about all of this
though and Dan I’ll let you and Tim explain it to me. Every time I have seen these
people it is always chastising Roger and Richard, and John aren’t you two on board with
this also.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-Absolutely.
MR. STRAINER-Do you feel what they have done is right. Why is it that when I read
this….
SUPERVISOR STEC-There are code issues….
MR. STRAINER-But you guys are omitted it doesn’t seem fair to me that if we are all on
board with this thing why would you guys be omitted it is not fair.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-You would have to ask the guy that says it. We voted to hire
the Attorney’s we consistently backed up what this lawsuit has been brought about.
MR. STRAINER-I can walk away and know that you guys are on board with this also.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Be careful of what words you put in Dan Stec’s mouth Dave.
MR. STRAINER-I am saying on board on board with the fact that you feel something has
done wrong.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Have any of us said there is nothing wrong up there none of us
have said that.
MR. STRAINER-But when you read these things in the paper it eliminates you guys and
I don’t think it is fair.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-I don’t write them Dave.
MR. STRAINER-No, but that’s what I am saying public perception the perception is
reality. Unfortunately, I don’t sit there and let people the things that I read in the Post
Star hold all the weight in the world I come and I ask you the questions and that’s what I
am doing now. I firmly believe that you were on board with this or maybe you don’t
want to be I don’t know Dan.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Yeah, there are issues up there.
MR. STRAINER-Huge issues. To send that letter to make yourselves look like you are
snow-white is just wrong especially to do it right before the primary. Look, I said my
peace and thank you very much.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Is there anyone else that would like to address the board before we
move on.
BERNARD RAHILL, 37 WINCREST DRIVE-QUEENSBURY-I like to address the fact
that we are going to have an election and we have had some election politics. I urge you
Roger, Richard, and John, and Tim to prepare a full resume with your platform what you
feel is important for the Town of Queensbury and the ethical components of your
platform arguing why your positions are the right positions. I ask that you submit them
to the Post Star prior to the elections so that everybody knows exactly what the issues are
and what your ethical positions are with regard to all of these issues. I think it is very
important that the Post Star know this and that we have a situation right now that you are
talking about lies, lies, and more lies. After this meeting is over you are going to have a
little pray see on the back of Part B of the Post Star of the Town Board Meeting. This is
the largest municipality in what County?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1039
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Warren County.
MR. RAHILL-You are the most influential people in Warren County right now. There is
more money here than any place else right now. Yet, you get a little pray see in the back
of the Post Star Part B and consequently nobody knows what’s going on then Ken
Tingley and Mark Mahoney say why do we have such low turnouts on our elections. Do
you think they don’t know what they are doing? Do you think they don’t know that they
are managing the press they are managing the public and they are managing the politics I
do, I am a political scientist I knew this forty years ago. I want you to be aware of the
fact that you have to put your cards on the table and say this is what I represent as a
democrat or a republican.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Or conservative.
MR. RAHILL-Or whatever you want to be I don’t care what you are. The fact is I want
to see the cards on the table I want to see the issues. You are not going to get them from
Ken Tingley you are not going to get them from Mark Mahoney nothing is on the table
everything is underneath the table. I think that all of your Post Star Meetings should be
on the front page of the Post Star because these are very important issues. These people
don’t think they are very important issues but they are to the people because the people
are ill informed.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-I think you are going to be pleased Bernie that received an
invitation for a debate, which we certainly wanted before the primary, but for some
th
reason couldn’t get that is going to be October 25, at ACC. I will certainly be debating
my opponent, as I am sure Mr. Sanford will, Mr. Strough will, and Mr. Brewer.
MR. RAHILL-I want them to see what the issues are. I am not somebody who says
Republican or Democrat I want to know what the issues are. What is the character of the
person how does he support those issues. Once again, I am a political scientist I know
this backwards, forwards, and sideways. We are being misrepresented in this community
by right-wingers extreme right-wingers who are pushing things down our throats. I know
the truth I am not going to tell you anything else. Just as an example who is the only
Presidential Candidate who supports National Health Care provided by the government
does anybody know?
SUPERVISOR STEC-Dennis….
MR. RAHILL-Dennis Kucinich why because Michael Moore said so on CSPAN and
Michael Moore did what he wrote Sicko and presented the film. Therefore, there is only
one person in the whole Presidential Election who wants National Health Care based on
the governments and yet all the voters want National Health Care based on the
governments.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Bernie you split away limit it to Town issues.
MR. RAHILL-These are Town issues. If the people don’t know what is going on Dan we
are in trouble.
SUPERVISOR STEC-I agree with you a hundred percent I couldn’t of said it better
myself.
MR. RAHILL-I know you do, God Bless you.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Anybody else like to address the board this evening.
BETTY MONAHAN-I just want to know have any of you hiked up to Bear Pond before
it was damaged.
COUNCILMAN BOOR-Long, long, time ago.
COUNCILMAN BREWER-I have not.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1040
MRS. MONAHAN-I did many many years ago if my teenage maybe early twenties a
little after the Civil War it was a beautiful beautiful spot. To see the photograph of what
has been done is horrendous. When I got the letter, I wanted to get out my violin and
play for them because I felt so sorry I almost wept tears for the Macchio family they have
been so misused by this Town. You know, John I hope when we do the lakeshore
regulations you will kind of remember this situation.
SUPERVISOR STEC-Thank you Betty anyone else before we move on okay let’s go to
Town Board discussions.
6.0TOWN BOARD DISCUSSIONS
COUNCILMAN BOOR
rd
?
September 3, 2005 in the presence of Councilman Strough and two Attorney
friends of ours Mr. Macchio approached me and made it very clear, what his
intentions were I testified to that in another trial. It was stricken from the record
because some kind of legal foundation thing. It won’t be stricken when we go to
trial for the Town. He made it very clear he wanted to build cabins up there and
this was before I knew anything was going on up there. I look at him and said
geez Ralph I’ve got to tell you I believe we are in the Town of Lake George. He
said no, no, no, I have property in the Town of Queensbury, too. I said well what
you are talking about would have to go to the Planning Board I am on the Town
Board this isn’t something I could answer. It was very clear he was very insistent
that this is something that should be done something he wanted to do. Like, I say
Councilman Strough was with me so I think it is going to be a little bit hard for
him to rebut that when we finally do go to trial.
COUNCILMAN SANFORD
?
Spoke regarding Resolution Enacting Local Law to Amend Chapter 94
Freshwater Wetlands one that he is particularly proud of.
?
October 25, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Adirondack Community College likely to be a
debate encourage the public to attend to hear what the candidates have to say. I
accepted hopefully my opponent would accept as well.
COUNCILMAN STROUGH
?
Roger deserves the credit thought this is what the Queensbury resident wanted
was someone with courage, someone willing to stand up for what is right, and he
did and got chastised for it. Does not know why anyone would vote against
Roger, I know the integrity and courage of the man.
?
Read the Senior Citizens monthly publication for activities.
SUPERVISOR STEC
?
Thanked the firefighters
?
Thanked Glens Falls National Bank and TV8 for teleivisioning our Town Board
Meetings
?
Reminded people of the Towns website www.queensbury.net
Town has done a great job over the last six or seven years have not had a Town
tax. Given rebates back the last five or six years over ten million dollars in
rebates. In order for that to continue, Town needs to control spending. The last
three years total Town Budgets were all less than 2004 total Town Budget
?
Spoke regarding the Main Street Corridor
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1041
7.0RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION SETTING HEARING ON YUET HON AND SO YING
LING’S APPLICATION FOR VARIANCE/WAIVER REQUEST
FROM SANITARY SEWER CONNECTION REQUIREMENT
CONCERNING FLOWER DRUM SONG CHINESE RESTAURANT
PROPERTY LOCATED AT 909 STATE ROUTE 9, QUEENSBURY
RESOLUTION NO.: 417, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board is authorized by Town Code Chapter 136
§
to issue variances from 136-44 “Connection to sewers required” which requires Town
property owners situated within a sewer district and located within 250’ of a public sanitary
sewer of the sewer district to connect to the public sewer facilities within one (1) year from
the date of notice, and
WHEREAS, Yuet Hon and So Ying Ling (Applicants) have applied to the Town
§
Board for a second variance/waiver from Town Code 136-44 for a second extension of the
Town’s connection requirements to connect their Flower Drum Song Chinese Restaurant
property located at 909 State Route 9 to the Town of Queensbury’s Route 9 Sewer District
as the Applicants state that there may possibly be a sale of the building and property and the
current dry wells are properly functioning, as more fully set forth in the Applicants’
application presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board will hold a hearing on Monday,
th
October 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road,
Queensbury, to consider Yuet Hon and So Ying Ling’s second sewer connection
variance/waiver application concerning their Flower Drum Song Chinese Restaurant
property located at 909 State Route 9, Queensbury (Tax Map No.: 296.17-1-38), and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to send a Notice of Hearing to the Applicants as may be required by law.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1042
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
PART II IMPACT ASSESSMENT (TO BE COMPLETED BY LEAD AGENCY)
FOR JOHN W. DREPS BAY ROAD SUBDIVISION
A.
DOES ACTION EXCEED ANY TYPE I THRESHOLD IN 6 NYCRR PART
617.4? IF YES, COORDINATE THE REVIEW PROCESS AND USE THE
NO
FULL EAF.
B.WILL ACTION RECEIVE COORDINATED REVIEW AS PROVIDED FOR
UNLISTED ACTIONS IN 6 NYCRR PART 617.6? IF NO, A NEGATIVE
DECLARATION MAY BE SUPERSEDED BY ANOTHER INVOLVED
NO
AGENCY.
ANY
C.COULD ACTION RESULT IN ADVERSE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED
WITH THE FOLLOWING (ANSWERS MAY BE HANDWRITTEN, IF
LEGIBLE)
C1. Existing air quality, surface or groundwater quality or quantity, noise levels,
existing traffic pattern, solid waste production or disposal. Potential for erosion,
NO
drainage or flooding problems? Explain briefly.
C2. Aesthetic, agricultural, archaeological, historic, or other natural or cultural
NO
resources or community or neighborhood character? Explain briefly.
C3. Vegetation or fauna, fish, shellfish or wildlife species, significant habitats, or
. NO
threatened or endangered species? Explain briefly
C4. A community’s existing plans or goals as officially adopted, or a change in
NO
use or intensity of use of land, or other natural resources? Explain briefly.
C5. Growth, subsequent development, or related activities likely to be induced by
NO
the proposed action? Explain briefly.
C6. Long term, short term, cumulative, or other effects not identified in C1-C5?
NO
Explain briefly.
C7. Other impacts (including changes in use of either quantity or type of energy?
NO
Explain briefly.
D.WILL THE PROJECT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL
CHARACTERISTICS THAT CAUSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A
CRITICAL ENVIRONMENTAL AREA (CEA)? IF YES, EXPLAIN BRIEFLY
NO
E. IS THERE, OR IS THERE LIKELY TO BE, CONTROVERSY RELATED TO
POTENTIAL ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS? IF YES, EXPLAIN
NO
BRIEFLY.
RESOLUTION ADOPTING SEQRA DETERMINATION OF NON-
SIGNIFICANCE REGARDING CENTRAL QUEENSBURY QUAKER
ROAD SEWER DISTRICT EXTENSION NO. 9 –
JOHN W. DREPS BAY ROAD SUBDIVISION
RESOLUTION NO.: 418, 2007
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1043
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Brewer
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to establish an extension to the
Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District to be known as Central Queensbury
Quaker Road Sewer District Extension No. 9, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is duly qualified to act as lead agency and accepts lead
agency status for compliance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)
which requires environmental review of certain actions undertaken by local governments,
and
WHEREAS, the proposed action is an unlisted action in accordance with the rules
and regulations of SEQRA,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, after considering the proposed
action, reviewing the Short Environmental Assessment Form and thoroughly analyzing the
action for potential environmental concerns, determines that the action will not have a
significant effect on the environment, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor to complete the Short Environmental Assessment Form by checking the box
indicating that the proposed action will not result in any significant adverse impacts, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board approves of a Negative Declaration and
authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to file any necessary documents in accordance with
the provisions of the general regulations of the Department of Environmental Conservation.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1044
RESOLUTION APPROVING CENTRAL QUEENSBURY QUAKER
ROAD SEWER DISTRICT EXTENSION NO. 9 –
JOHN W. DREPS BAY ROAD SUBDIVISION
RESOLUTION NO. 419, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to establish an extension to the
Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District (hereinafter the “District”) to be known as
Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District Extension No. 9, and
WHEREAS, a Map, Plan and Report has been prepared by Thomas W. Nace, P.E.,
Consulting Engineer, an engineer licensed by the State of New York, regarding the
proposed sewer district extension to serve the John W. Dreps Bay Road Subdivision
containing five (5) commercial lots located on an approximately 6.37 acre parcel of land on
the east side of Bay Road (tax map parcels: #296.16-1-16.11, #296.16-1-16.14, 296.16-1-
16.15, 296.16-1-16.16 and 296.16-1-16.17) as more specifically set forth and described in
the Map, Plan and Report (hereinafter the “Sewer District Extension”), and
WHEREAS, by previous Resolution, the Map, Plan and Report has been accepted
by the Town and has been filed in the Queensbury Town Clerk's Office and is available for
public inspection, and
WHEREAS, the Map, Plan and Report delineates the boundaries of the proposed
Sewer District Extension, a general plan of the proposed sewer system, a report of the
proposed sewer system and method of operation, and
nd
WHEREAS, on April 2, 2007 subsequent to the filing of the Map, Plan and Report
with the Town Clerk, the Town Board adopted an Order (the “Public Hearing Order”)
reciting (a) the boundaries of the proposed Sewer District Extension; (b) the proposed
improvements; (c) the fact that all costs of the improvements will be paid for by the
Developer and not the Town of Queensbury; (d) the estimated cost of hook-up fees (if any)
and the cost of the Sewer District Extension to the typical property and the typical one or
two family home (if not the typical property); (e) the proposed method of financing to be
employed; (f) the fact that a Map, Plan and Report describing the improvement is on file in
the Town Clerk’s Office; and (g) the time and place of a public hearing on the proposed
Sewer District Extension; (h) that all the expenses of the District, including all extensions
heretofore or hereafter established, shall be a charge against the entire area of the District as
extended, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1045
WHEREAS, copies of the Public Hearing Order were duly published and posted and
were filed with the Office of the State Comptroller, all as required by law, and
WHEREAS, prior to publication of the Public Hearing Order, a detailed explanation
of how the estimated cost of hook-up fees (if any) and the cost of the Sewer District to the
typical property and typical one or two family home (if not the typical property) were
computed was filed with the Town Clerk for public inspection, and
WHEREAS, a public hearing on the proposed Sewer District Extension was duly
th
held on Monday, April 16, 2007 and the Town Board has considered the evidence given
together with other information, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered the establishment of the Sewer District
Extension in accordance with the provisions of the State Environmental Quality Review Act
and has adopted a Negative Declaration concerning environmental impacts, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to establish the proposed Sewer District
Extension as detailed in the Map, Plan and Report in accordance with Town Law, Article
12A and consolidate the Sewer District Extension with the Central Queensbury Quaker
Road Sewer District in accordance with Town Law §206-a,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby determines that:
1.Notice of Public Hearing was published and posted as required by law and is
otherwise sufficient;
2.An application for permission of the Office of the State Comptroller to
extend the District is not necessary, given that all costs associated with the extension of
the District and construction of the facilities therein shall be borne by the Developer;
3.All property and property owners within the Sewer District Extension are
benefited;
4.All property and property owners benefited are included within the limits of
the Sewer District Extension;
5.It is in the public interest to establish, authorize, and approve the Central
Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District Extension No. 9 to the existing Central
Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District as described in the Map, Plan and Report on file
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1046
with the Queensbury Town Clerk;
6.In accordance with New York State Town Law §206-a, it is in the public
interest to assess all expenses of the District, including all extensions heretofore or hereafter
established, as a charge against the entire area of the District as extended; and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves, authorizes and establishes the
Central Queensbury Quaker Road Sewer District Extension No.: 9 in accordance with the
boundaries and descriptions set forth in the previously described Map, Plan and Report and
as follows:
All that certain piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Town of
Queensbury, County of Warren and the State of New York, more particularly
bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the easterly side of
Bay Street at the northwest corner of the lands conveyed to Stewarts Ice Cream
Company, Inc.; running thence along said Bay Road, North 05 degrees, 11 minutes
and 12 seconds East, a distance of 161.63 feet; continuing along Bay Road, North 05
degrees, 05 minutes and 41 seconds East, a distance of 362.4 feet to the southwest
corner of lands of Bay Meadows Golf Club Inc.; thence running along said lands
southeasterly along a curve to the left having a radius of 25.00 feet a distance of
39.27 feet; thence running South 84 degrees, 54 minutes and 19 seconds East, along
the southerly bounds thereof, a distance of 238.97 feet; thence running along a curve
to the left having a radius of 25.00 feet, a distance of 37.95 feet; thence running
along a curve to right having a radius of 70.00 feet, a distance of 219.59 feet; thence
continuing along said lands of Bay Meadows Golf Club Inc., South 83 degrees, 47
minutes and 10 seconds East, a distance of 152.09 feet to an angle point therein for a
corner; thence continuing along said lands of Bay Meadows Golf Club Inc., South
06 degrees, 12 minutes and 50 seconds West, a distance of 440.20 feet to the
northeast corner of lands now or formerly of JBJ Queensbury, LLC; thence running
along said lands, North 81 degrees, 26 minutes and 40 seconds West, a distance of
287.70 feet to the northwest corner thereof; thence running along said the westerly
line thereof, South 05 degrees, 53 minutes and 33 seconds West, a distance of 93.91
feet to the northeast corner of said lands of Stewarts Ice Cream Company, Inc.;
thence running along the northerly bounds thereof, North 84 degrees, 06 minutes
and 27 seconds West, a distance of 284.03 feet to the point and place of beginning,
containing 6.37 acres of lands to be the same more or less.
Bearings given in the above description refer to magnetic North.
SUBJECT to easements of record.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1047
SUBJECT also to an easement of ingress and egress over the southwesterly corner
of said property as described in an easement granted by Roger W. Brassel to Stewarts Ice
Cream Company, Inc. recorded in book 1115 of deeds at page 24.
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that construction of the improvements may proceed and service
provided subject to the following;
1.The obtaining of any necessary permits or approvals from the New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation;
2.Permissive referendum in the manner provided in New York State Town
Law Article 7; and
3.The adoption of a Final Order by the Queensbury Town Board; and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that this Resolution is subject to permissive referendum in the manner
provided by the provisions of New York State Town Law Articles 7 and 12A and the Town
Board authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town Clerk to file, post and publish such
notice of this Resolution as may be required by law and to cause to be prepared and have
available for distribution proper forms for the petition and shall distribute a supply to any
person requesting such petition, and if no such petition is filed within 30 days, to file a
certificate to that effect in the Office of the County Clerk.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING CONCERNING BAY
RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.’S REQUEST FOR
REIMBURSEMENT OF FIREFIGHTING FOAM COSTS AND
CORRESPONDING AMENDMENT TO FIRE SERVICES
AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 420, 2007
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1048
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Richard Sanford
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury and the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company,
Inc. (Fire Company) have entered into an Agreement for fire protection services, and
WHEREAS, a fire at the Town of Queensbury’s property on Jenkinsville Road
thrd
began on Thursday, August 30, 2007 and continued through Monday, September 3, 2007
and during such fire, the Fire Company used 250 gallons of Class A firefighting foam at a
cost of $16.75 per gallon or a total of $4,187.50, to fight the fire, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Company’s standard practice is to approach the property
owner, in this case the Town of Queensbury, to recoup the cost of such foam, and therefore
the Fire Company has asked the Town Board to consider reimbursement to the Fire
Company for such cost, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to set a public hearing concerning the Fire
Company’s request for such reimbursement of costs and the corresponding increase in the
Fire Company’s budget and amendment of its Fire Services Agreement,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall conduct a public hearing
concerning the estimated $4,187.50 increase in the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Company,
Inc.’s budget for the cost of Class A firefighting foam used to fight the fire at Town
Property on Jenkinsville Road and the corresponding amendment to the Fire Company’s
Agreement with the Town of Queensbury for fire protection services, on Monday, October
th
15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Queensbury
Town Clerk to publish a Notice of Public Hearing in the Post-Star Newspaper once at least
ten (10) days prior to the Public Hearing.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford
NOES: None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1049
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING WEST
GLENS FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.’S REQUEST
FOR ENGINE REPAIRS AND CORRESPONDING AMENDMENT TO
FIRE SERVICES AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 421, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury and the West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire
Company, Inc. (Fire Company) have entered into an Agreement for fire protection services,
which Agreement sets forth a number of terms and conditions including a condition that the
Fire Company will not purchase or enter into any binding contract to purchase any piece of
apparatus, equipment, vehicles, real property, or make any improvements that would require
the Fire Company to acquire a loan or mortgage or use money placed in a “vehicles fund”
without prior approval of the Queensbury Town Board, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Company has advised the Town Board that it is necessary to
make unexpected repairs to the engine of its Tower 4 aerial device for the estimated sum of
$15,036.41, and
WHEREAS, this purchase will increase the cost of providing necessary fire
protection services to the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board feels that by spending this amount of money for
engine repairs, the Fire Company will gain additional life out of such apparatus while the
Town considers and studies the future apparatus needs of the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to set a public hearing concerning the proposed
increase in the Fire Company’s budget and amendment of its Fire Services Agreement, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall conduct a public hearing
concerning the estimated $15,036.41 increase in the West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire
Company, Inc.’s budget for repairs to the engine of its Tower 4 aerial device and the
corresponding amendment to the Fire Company’s Agreement with the Town of Queensbury
th
for fire protection services, on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Queensbury
Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1050
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Queensbury
Town Clerk to publish a Notice of Public Hearing in the Post-Star Newspaper once at least
ten (10) days prior to the Public Hearing.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: M.r Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INCURRENCE OF DEBT BY
WEST GLENS FALLS VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC. FOR
PURCHASE OF NEW FORD F350 EMS VEHICLE
RESOLUTION NO.: 422, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury and the West Glens Falls Volunteer Fire
Company, Inc. (Fire Company) have entered into an Agreement for fire protection services,
which Agreement sets forth a number of terms and conditions including a condition that the
Fire Company will not purchase or enter into any binding contract to purchase any piece of
apparatus, equipment, vehicles, real property, or make any improvements that would require
the Fire Company to acquire a loan or mortgage or use money placed in a “vehicles fund”
without prior approval of the Queensbury Town Board, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Company has advised the Town Board that it wishes to
purchase a new Ford F350 cab and chassis to replace its 1985 EMS response vehicle for a
sum not to exceed $32,000, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Company has arranged for a $32,000, 60 month installment
loan with Glens Falls National Bank to purchase such vehicle, with payments to be made
from the Fire Company’s operating budget, such monies already included in the Fire
Company’s approved 2007 budget and Agreement with the Town, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1051
WHEREAS, the Town Board feels that this new vehicle will provide additional
safety protection for the Town and therefore the Town Board wishes to authorize the
incurrence of this debt by the Fire Company,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby approves of
the incurrence of $32,000 in debt by the West Glens Falls Fire Company, Inc. for the
purchase of a new Ford F350 dab and chassis to replace its 1985 EMS response vehicle, as
delineated in the preambles of this Resolution, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury does not guarantee the debt with Glens
Falls National Bank on behalf of the Fire Company, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor and/or Town Fiscal Manager to take any necessary action to effectuate the terms
of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENGAGEMENT OF C.T. MALE
ASSOCIATES, P.C. TO PREPARE ANNUAL POST-CLOSURE
LANDFILL MONITORING REPORTS FOR YEARS 2008 THROUGH
2012
RESOLUTION NO.: 423, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 103,2003, the Queensbury Town Board authorized
engagement of C.T. Male Associates, P.C. (C.T. Male) to prepare a request for re-evaluation
of landfill post-closure monitoring requirements in connection with the Ridge Road landfill
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1052
in an effort to reduce the landfill groundwater and surface water monitoring requirements,
and
WHEREAS, C.T. Male completed such work for the total amount of $3,600 as
authorized by Resolution No.: 103,2003, and the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation did reduce the Town’s landfill groundwater and surface water
monitoring requirements, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 272,2003, the Queensbury Town Board authorized
C.T. Male to prepare annual post-closure landfill monitoring reports for years 2003 through
2007, and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Landfill Equipment Operator has advised that C.T. Male
has submitted a proposal to prepare annual post-closure landfill monitoring reports for years
2008 through 2012for an amount not to exceed $4,280.00, including miscellaneous
th
reimbursables (prints), as delineated in C.T. Male’s August 24, 2007 letter and Contract
Agreement presented at this meeting and as follows:
?
2008 Post-Closure Landfill Monitoring Report $ 770.00
?
2009 Post-Closure Landfill Monitoring Report $ 810.00
?
2010 Post-Closure Landfill Monitoring Report $ 855.00
?
2011 Post-Closure Landfill Monitoring Report $ 900.00
?
2012 Post-Closure Landfill Monitoring Report $ 945.00
Total Years 2008 through 2012 $4,280.00
and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Landfill Equipment Operator has recommended that the
Town Board engage the services of C.T. Male for preparation of such annual post-closure
landfill monitoring reports,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the
engagement of C.T. Male Associates, P.C., to prepare the annual post-closure landfill
monitoring report for years 2008 through 2012 in connection with the Ridge Road landfill as
th
delineated in C.T. Male’s August 24, 2007 letter and Contract Agreement for an amount
not to exceed $4,280.00, including miscellaneous reimbursables (prints), to be paid for from
Account No.: 009-8160-4002, and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1053
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor to execute the Contract Agreement and the Town Supervisor, Landfill
Equipment Operator and/or Town Fiscal Manager to execute any documentation and take
such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this
Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENGAGEMENT OF SHELTER
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT, INC. TO PROVIDE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION
ASSISTANCE IN CONNECTION WITH $400,000 IN GRANT FUNDS
RECEIVED FROM NEW YORK DIVISION OF HOUSING AND
COMMUNITY RENEWAL
RESOLUTION NO.: 424, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 110,2007 the Queensbury Town Board authorized
submission of an application to the New York State Division of Housing and Community
Renewal (DHCR), and
WHEREAS, the grant application was submitted and the Town was awarded a grant
in the amount of $400,000 from the New York State Division of Housing and Community
Renewal, such funds to be used for housing rehabilitation, and
WHEREAS, the Town wishes to authorize an Agreement with Shelter Planning &
Development, Inc. for provision of the Year 2007 program implementation and
administration services, and a proposed Contract for Professional Services between the
Town and Shelter Planning is presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs
engagement of Shelter Planning & Development, Inc., for provision of Year 2007 HOME
program implementation and administration assistance services in connection with grant
monies received by the Town of Queensbury referenced in the preambles of this
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1054
Resolution and as set forth in the Contract for Professional Services substantially in the
form presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the costs for Shelter Planning’s services shall not exceed the
fixed fee of sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000.00) for such program implementation and
administration, plus an amount not to exceed forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000.00) for
project-related implementation services for each housing unit rehabilitated under the
Program, as specifically delineated in the Contract, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that payment for these expenses shall be paid from the Town’s
2007 HOME Program Grant funding from the New York State Division of Housing and
Community Renewal, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor to execute the Contract between the Town and Shelter Planning substantially
in the form presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes the Town Supervisor,
Senior Planner and/or Town Fiscal Manager to take any other action necessary to
effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor
NOES : None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED
AMENDMENT TO ORDINANCE NO. 28 ESTABLISHING
THROUGH HIGHWAYS AND STOP INTERSECTIONS IN THE
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY, COUNTY OF WARREN, NEW YORK
RESOLUTION NO. 425, 2007
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1055
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury has in effect Ordinance No. 28 - Ordinance
Establishing Through Highways and Stop Intersections in the Town of Queensbury, County
of Warren, New York and this Ordinance lists the stop intersections and signs located within
the Town of Queensbury, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to consider amending Ordinance No. 28 by
adding a four-way stop intersection at the intersection of Hudson Pointe Boulevard and
Hyde/Danford Court, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to set a public hearing concerning this
proposed Amendment to Ordinance No. 28,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a public hearing
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on Monday, October 15, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay
Road, Queensbury to consider the proposed Amendment to Town Ordinance No. 28, hear
all interested persons and take any necessary action provided by law, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing in the manner provided by law.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED
LOCAL LAW PROHIBITING PARKING ON EAST SIDE OF
MALLORY AVENUE
RESOLUTION NO.: 426, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1056
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to consider adoption of a Local
Law which would prohibit parking on the east side of a portion of Mallory Avenue in the
Town of Queensbury beginning at its intersection with Nathan Street and continuing in a
southerly direction, a distance of 280’±, and
WHEREAS, such legislation is authorized in accordance with New York State
§
Town Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law 1660(18) and the Municipal Home Rule Law, and
WHEREAS, before the Town Board may act on such a Local Law, it must conduct
a public hearing,
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,
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October 15, 2007 to consider the proposed Local Law presented at this meeting, hear all
interested persons and take such action required or authorized by law, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to
publish and post a Notice of Public Hearing in the manner provided by law.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION APPOINTING DONNA PARTRIDGE TO
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY CEMETERY COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. 427, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury previously established the Town of
Queensbury Cemetery Commission in accordance with applicable New York State law, and
WHEREAS, Commissioner Theresa Higgins will retire from the Commission on
th
September 30, 2007 and before her term expires, and therefore the Cemetery Commission
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1057
has recommended that the Town Board appoint Donna Partridge to complete Ms. Higgins’
term,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby appoints Donna Partridge to
st
serve as a member of the Town of Queensbury Cemetery Commission effective October 1,
2007 to complete the unexpired term of Commissioner Theresa Higgins, such term to expire
st
on December 31, 2008.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS
IN CONNECTION WITH NOBLE WAY IN KING’S COURT
SUBDIVISION
RESOLUTION NO.: 428, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 54,2005 the Queensbury Town
Board authorized the dedication of Noble Way in the King’s Court
Subdivision, such acceptance conditioned on the Town’s receipt of $26,680
cash escrow from The BH Group, Inc. (Developer), and
WHEREAS, the Developer provided the Town with the required $26,680 and
entered into an Escrow Agreement with the Town, and
WHEREAS, as required by the Escrow Agreement, the Town deposited the $26,680
in an interest bearing account, and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Highway Superintendent has advised the Town Board that
the Developer has completed to the Highway Superintendent’s satisfaction the top coat of
the road and has requested that the monies held by the Town be released, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to therefore authorize the refund of funds
currently held in escrow to the Developer as set forth in the Escrow Agreement,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1058
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the return of
escrow funds to The BH Group, Inc., in connection with the dedication of Noble Way in
the King’s Court Subdivision, which sum shall be the amount of $26,680 plus any earned
interest, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Fiscal
Manager to take such other and further action necessary to effectuate the terms of this
Resolution.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT BETWEEN
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND FISCAL ADVISORS &
MARKETING, INC. FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION RULE 15C2-12
RESOLUTION NO.: 429, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Richard Sanford
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec
WHEREAS, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 15c2-12 (Rule)
requires that the Town of Queensbury provide continuing disclosure of certain events and
annual updated financial information and operating data relating to the Town’s outstanding
indebtedness, and
WHEREAS, many municipalities have entered into agreements with Fiscal Advisors
and Marketing, Inc. (FA) to assist with such compliance requirements due to the
technicalities and time involved in complying with such regulations and the resources
required to keep up with any changes, and
WHEREAS, FA has offered to act as the Town’s dissemination agent for filing the
financial information and operating data with the proper repositories, Rulemaking Board or
individual requests as required by the Rule and assist the Town in determining if an event is
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1059
a material event as defined by the Rule thereby requiring notification to the proper
organizations, and
WHEREAS, FA proposes to provide such services the Town at a cost of up to
$1,800 per fiscal year, and a fee of $500 per event disclosure, if any, as set forth in FA’s
proposed Agreement for Continuing Secondary Market Disclosure presented at this
meeting, and
WHEREAS, the Town Fiscal Manager has recommended that the Town Board enter
into such Agreement, and
WHEREAS, such Agreement is in form approved by Town Counsel,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the Agreement
for Continuing Secondary Market Disclosure between the Town and Fiscal Advisors &
Marketing, Inc., substantially in the form presented at this meeting, at a cost of up to $1,800
per fiscal year and a fee of $500 per event disclosure, if any, such amounts to be paid for
from the appropriate account(s) as will be determined by the Town Fiscal Manager, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor and/or Town Fiscal Manager to sign any documentation and take any and all
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SETTLEMENT OF PENDING
ARTICLE 7 REAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CASES
COMMENCED BY JAMES DENOOYER
RESOLUTION NO.: 430, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1060
WHEREAS, James DeNooyer previously commenced Article 7 Real Property
Assessment Review cases against the Town of Queensbury concerning the assessed
values of property located on 3316 State Route 9L, Queensbury, New York (Tax Map
No. 239.18-1-24) and property located at 3308 State Route 9L, Queensbury, New York
(Tax Map No. 239.18-1-26) for the 2005 assessment year, and
WHEREAS, the Town Assessor has recommended a settlement proposal to the
Town Board and the Town Board has reviewed the cases with Town Counsel, and
WHEREAS, the Lake George Central School District approves of the settlement,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the settlement of
the pending Article 7 cases against the Town of Queensbury by James DeNooyer,
concerning property located on 3316 State Route 9L, Queensbury, New York (Tax Map
No. 239.18-1-24) and property located at 3308 State Route 9L, Queensbury, New York
(Tax Map No. 239.18-1-26) for the 2005 assessment year in accordance with the
following revised assessment values:
Tax Year Current Assessment Revised Assessment
Tax Map No.
239.18-1-24
2005 $ 1,778,400. $ 1,600,000.
Tax Map No.
239.18-1-26
2005 $ 1,398,400. $ 1,175,000.
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs payment of any and all
refunds without interest to Petitioner’s counsel, James T. Towne, Jr., Esq, The Towne
Law Offices, 421 New Karner Road, P.O. Box 15072, Albany, New York, 12212-5072,
within sixty (60) days from the date that a Demand for Refunds is served upon the Town
of Queensbury and the Warren County Treasurer, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor, Town Assessor, Town Fiscal Manager and/or Town Counsel to execute
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1061
settlement documents and take any additional steps necessary to effectuate the proposed
settlement in accordance with the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN
OF QUEENSBURY AND ENERGY CURTAILMENT SPECIALISTS
RESOLUTION NO.: 431, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury’s Water Superintendent and Civil Engineer
have recommended that the Town participate in Energy Curtailment Specialists’ (ECS)
“Operation Save New York” Program, whereby ECS will compensate the Town Water
Department to shed electric load during periods of high electrical demands, and
WHEREAS, the Town Water Department would be able to eliminate its draw from
the electrical grid through the use of its on-site generator and will be compensated
appropriately, and
WHEREAS, ECS has provided the Town with a proposed Agreement/Enrollment
Form for such Program and the Agreement/Enrollment Form is in form approved by Town
Counsel,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Water
Department to enter into the “Operation Save New York” Program with Energy Curtailment
Specialists (ECS), and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor to sign the Agreement/Enrollment Form with ECS substantially in the form
presented at this meeting, and any other required documentation, and the Town Supervisor,
Water Superintendent, Civil Engineer and/or Town Fiscal Manager to take any and all
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1062
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDIT OF BILLS –
TH
WARRANT OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2007
RESOLUTION NO.: 432, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to approve the audit of bills
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presented as the Warrant with a run date of September 20, 2007 and a payment date of
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September 25, 2007,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the Warrant with a
thth
run date of September 20, 2007 and payment date of September 25, 2007 totaling
$1,299,406.70, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town
Supervisor and/or Town Fiscal Manager to take such other and further action as may be
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
RESOLUTION ENACTING LOCAL LAW NO.: 5, OF 2007
TO AMEND QUEENSBURY TOWN CODE CHAPTER 94 ENTITLED,
“FRESHWATER WETLANDS”
RESOLUTION NO. 433, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Richard Sanford
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1063
SECONDED BY: Mr. Roger Boor
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to consider adoption of Local
Law No.: 5, of 2007 to amend Queensbury Town Code Chapter 94 “Freshwater Wetlands,”
to regulate development in and adjacent to wetlands, which wetlands may not be
currently regulated under State or local laws or regulations, and
WHEREAS, this legislation is authorized in accordance with New York State
Municipal Home Rule Law §10, Town Law Article 16 and Environmental Conservation
Law Article 24, and
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WHEREAS, the Town Board duly held a public hearing on Monday, August 20,
2007 and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, a copy of the proposed Local Law has been presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby enacts Local Law No.: 5, of
2007 to amend Queensbury Town Code Chapter 94 “Freshwater Wetlands,” as presented
at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Queensbury
Town Clerk to file the Local Law with the New York State 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 with the Secretary of State.
th
Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Boor, Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
LOCAL LAW NO.: 5, OF 2007
A LOCAL LAW TO AMEND QUEENSBURY TOWN CODE
CHAPTER 94 ENTITLED “FRESHWATER WETLANDS”
BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN BOARD OF THE TOWN OF
QUEENSBURY AS FOLLOWS:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1064
Section 1. Purpose and Intent.
This Local Law provides for amendments to Chapter 94 of the Code of the Town
of Queensbury to regulate development in and adjacent to wetlands, which wetlands may
not be regulated under maps currently filed with the Town.
Section 2. Amendment to §94 of the Code of the Town of Queensbury.
A.The definition of FRESHWATER WETLANDS is repealed and replaced, in its
entirety, with the following:
FRESHWATER WETLANDS- Any [area of land] as depicted on the Town
of Queensbury Freshwater Wetland Map including wetlands as regulated by
NYSDEC, APA, or any Federal Agency or as delineated in the field and approved
by the appropriate aforementioned agency.
B.The definition of FRESHWATER WETLANDS MAP is amended as follows:
FRESHWATER WETLANDS MAP-- A map on which are indicated the
boundaries of any freshwater wetland and which has been filed with the Clerk of the
Town of Queensbury by in accordance with Environmental Conservation Law, as
, the APA, or any Federal
such map may from time to time be amended by DEC
Agency, or by any field delineation
.
C.The definition of AGENCY is amended as follows:
or any Lead
AGENCY-- The Planning Board of the Town of Queensbury,
Agency of the Town of Queensbury for SEQRA purposes
.
Section 3. Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Local Law
or the application thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership,
entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to
be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair or
invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the
clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this Local Law, or in
its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or
circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which such order or
judgment shall be rendered.
Section 4. Effective Date.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING 9-24-2007 MTG#41 1065
This Local Law shall take effect upon filing with the New York State Secretary of
State.
8.0ACTION OF RESOLUTIONS PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED FROM THE
FLOOR - NONE
9.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION - NONE
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
RESOLUTION NO. 434, 2007
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. John Strough
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its
Regular Town Board Meeting.
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Duly adopted this 24 day of September, 2007, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Sanford, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec, Mr. Boor
NOES: None
ABSENT:None
Respectfully Submitted,
Darleen M. Dougher
Town Clerk
Town of Queensbury