08-17-2020 MTG #26
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 1
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG #26
August 17, 2020 RES #263-279
7:00 P.M. BOH 35-37
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
SUPERVISOR JOHN STROUGH
COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER
COUNCILMAN HARRISON FREER
COUNCILMAN GEORGE FERONE
COUNCILWOMAN AMANDA MAGEE
TOWN COUNSEL
MARK SCHACHNER, ESQ.
PRESS
LOOK TV
PEPE PRODUCTIONS
POST STAR (REMOTE)
SUPERVISOR STROUGH called meeting to order…
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY COUNCILMAN GEORGE FERONE
1.0 RESOLUTION ENTERING QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION CALLING FOR QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION NO.: 263, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns from
Regular Session and enters into the Queensbury Board of Health.
h
Duly adopted this 17 day of August 2020 by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON SEWAGE DISPOSAL
VARIANCE APPLICATION OF SCOTT AND CAROL SBROCCO
RESOLUTION NO.: BOH 35, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Harrison Freer
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 2
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board serves as the Town’s Local Board of Health and is
authorized by Town Code Chapter 136 to issue variances from the Town’s On-Site Sewage Disposal
Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, Scott and Carol Sbrocco (Applicants) have applied to the Local Board of Health
for variances from Chapter 136 to install a replacement leaching system:
1. 8’ from the easterly property line in lieu of the required 10’ setback; and
2. 5’ from the southern property line in lieu of the required 10’ setback;
on property located at 2952 State Route 9L in the Town of Queensbury,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury’s Local Board of Health will hold a public hearing
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on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road,
Queensbury, to consider Scott and Carol Sbrocco’s sewage disposal variance application concerning
property located at 2952 State Route 9L, Queensbury (Tax Map No.: 239.20-1-13) and at that time
all interested persons will be heard, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Local Board of Health authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to publish the Notice of Public Hearing presented at this meeting and send a copy of the Notice
to neighbors located within 500’ of the applicant’s property as required by law.
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Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON SEWAGE DISPOSAL
VARIANCE APPLICATION OF JOHN GRAZIANO
RESOLUTION NO.: BOH 36, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 3
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board serves as the Town’s Local Board of Health and is
authorized by Town Code Chapter 136 to issue variances from the Town’s On-Site Sewage Disposal
Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, John Graziano (Applicant) has applied to the Local Board of Health for a
variance from Chapter 136 to install a replacement wastewater system with the leaching system to be
located 80’ from a neighboring well in lieu of the required 100’ setback on property located at 2
Sunset Lane in the Town of Queensbury,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Town of Queensbury’s Local Board of Health will hold a public hearing
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on Monday, September 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road,
Queensbury, to consider John Graziano’s sewage disposal variance application concerning property
located at 2 Sunset Lane, Queensbury (Tax Map No.: 226.19-2-17) and at that time all interested
persons will be heard, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Local Board of Health authorizes and directs the Queensbury Town
Clerk to publish the Notice of Public Hearing presented at this meeting and send a copy of the Notice
to neighbors located within 500’ of the Applicant’s property as required by law.
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Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING QUEENSBURY BOARD OF HEALTH
RESOLUTION NO.: BOH 37, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Board of Health hereby adjourns and moves back into
the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury.
Duly adopted this 17th day of August 2020, by the following vote:
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 4
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
2.0 PUBLIC HEARINGS
PUBLIC HEARING: 2021-2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND BAY RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE CO., INC.
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 7, 2020
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- This is again two percent of the aggregate. It’s a 2021, 2022 and
2023 contractual agreement, two percent aggregate increase. Now, the fire departments each
have a vehicle or an apparatus replacement program. They have their capital projects, they also
have their operation costs, and they have their debt load. So I’ve asked them, for the sake of
assuring that they plan for these things, that capital projects, apparatus replacement and so forth
be part of their budget. Now I say this because in the past we would approve a budget and then
almost haphazardly they come up and they say they need a new apparatus. Well, then they
needed more money for this new apparatus. So what we’ve asked them to do is, alright well
we’ll give you solid contracts, you plan for your apparatus replacement. So they all have very
good plans. So now they’re planning for everything. They are planning for some of their capital
operations that they know need to take place and that’s true of all five fire companies. So I won’t
explain that again. But they have two budget line items, one is maintenance, operations,
insurance, capital projects and apparatus replacement, like I explained and; the second is debt
service. You add those two together and that’s their total budget. So we’re on Bay Ridge. So Bay
Ridge in 2021 will be a two percent increase over 2020 (this year’s) for a total of $503,603, 2022
$513,675 (again a two percent increase) and the third year $523,948. Now the other thing I want
to bring to the public’s attention, as if they didn’t know, I imagine most people know but it’s
worth saying. The fire companies are independent agencies. We contract services. They are not a
town agency. They are an independent company. We contract for their services. Now if you’re
saying you think this is expensive, this is with volunteers folks, volunteers. Some of these
companies have 50, 60 or more volunteers. These are people who don’t earn a cent but put a lot
of time in maintaining that building, maintaining the grounds, maintaining the apparatus, doing a
lot of training. It’s a lot of time, it’s a lot of dedication. The one thing I’ve noticed… why would
people do this? Because these are the type of people that want to do something for their
community. This is the type of person, the volunteer fireman I’m talking about, who is here
because they want this world a better, safer place than the one they came into. They want to
leave it to the next generation in better shape. That’s the dedication that these volunteers have.
We don’t pay them a penny. We offer a small retirement program if they work hard and they
earn over 50 points, that’s another whole explanation, it is not easy to do, and you can earn
somewhat of a retirement. It’s a nice kind of thing that we can do for our volunteers and we’re
looking at increasing it. This year is not a good year for that conversation, but we had a
conversation. It was looked at favorably and we will get back to the conversation and we will do
something about it because I think we deeply appreciate all the time…when I hear that whistle
go, and I hear it from my house and I know there is somebody here that lives on Dorset Place. I
know, here I am in the middle of mowing my law, that if I was a volunteer fire person, I’d have
to drop everything I’m doing and jump in my car, get to the station, or get to the site if I have the
equipment in my car. But, if I’m a driver and I’ve got to be a first responder than I’ve got to go
to the station. I’m watching the TV at night, it could be 10 o’clock, 11 o’clock, 12 o’clock, it
could be 2 o’clock in the morning, I’m sleeping, there’s an automobile accident that needs
traffic management. Well you know what, our volunteer fire people are trained in traffic
management. They don’t just respond to fires, they respond to a lot of our needs. I know that
we’ve had plenty and our fire departments go and they use their pumps to out basements. They
don’t have to do that. We don’t contract with them to provide that service. These guys don’t get
paid for getting out early in the morning and pumping out that basement. They’re doing it
because they’revolunteers and they want to help make their community a better place to live and
try to take the burdens off some of these people whose fortune hasn’t been so favorable. I want
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 5
to thank everybody. I won’t repeat that five times for all five departments. I want that message to
go out from all of us and the community to you people. Alright, so there is a public on Bay
Ridge’s proposed contract tonight for fire protection services. I’m going to open the public
hearing. So, we have people here. I’m going to give you the opportunity to speak first. If you will
come up to the mic and please not try and touch anything. That’s why we put it on the podium.
As you know, we used to have a table there with microphone, the chairs got touched, the table
got touched. We are trying to avoid that. If you come up and express your thoughts on Bay
Ridge’s proposed fire contract for three years, you’re welcome to do that. Then I’m going to ask
anybody out there in the Youtube world to call 761-8225. I’ve got the phone here, so you people
that are watching Youtube, if you have a question about Bay Ridge’s contract, then you are
welcome to call in. Zoom, I’m watching you and I can see if somebody wants to ask a question
by putting the little blue hand up. So, I will be watching you. If you have a question on Bay
Ridge’s proposed fire protection service agreement between the Town of Queensbury and fire
company, you’re welcome to ask or share your thoughts, or whatever the case may be. I’m going
to start here is there anybody present that would like to speak?
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION APPROVING 2021 - 2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND
BAY RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 264, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Harrison Freer
WHEREAS, fire protection services are provided to the Town of Queensbury by the Bay
Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., Queensbury Central
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., and West Glens Falls Volunteer
Fire Co., Inc., in accordance with agreements between each Fire Company and the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Agreement with the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. will expire
as of December 31, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the Town and the Bay Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., have negotiated terms for
a new three (3) year Agreement for fire protection services for the years 2021 - 2023, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §184 and General Municipal Law §209(b), the
Town Board duly conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed Agreement on Monday,
th
August 17, 2020 and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, a copy of the proposed Agreement has been presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, on behalf of the Fire Protection District,
hereby approves the Fire Protection Service Agreement between the Town and the Bay Ridge
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 6
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., for the years 2021 - 2023 substantially in the form presented at this meeting,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute
such Agreement and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
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Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING: 2021-2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND NORTH QUEENSBURY VOLUNTEER FIRE
CO., INC.
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 7, 2020
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, their current contract is $344,500. I think they ask for a percent
and a half and they’re keeping it steady for three years and that’s going to service their needs. So
they’re asking for a $347,000 for 2021, 2022 and 2023. Everything that I said previously applies to
all these companies. Alright, so I’ll open the public hearing. Is there anybody present who would like
to speak to North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company’s fire protection service agreement between
the Town and themselves for 2021, 2022 and 2023? Alright, is there anybody out in the Youtube
world that would like to call in? It’s (518) area code, 761-8225? Anybody from Zoom? Blue hand…
Alright, I will close the public hearing.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
NO PUBLIC COMMENT
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION APPROVING 2021 - 2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND
NORTH QUEENSBURY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 265, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHEREAS, fire protection services are provided to the Town of Queensbury by the Bay
Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., Queensbury Central
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., and West Glens Falls Volunteer
Fire Co., Inc., in accordance with agreements between each Fire Company and the Town, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 7
WHEREAS, the Town’s Agreement with the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. will
expire as of December 31, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the Town and the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., have negotiated
terms for a new three (3) year Agreement for fire protection services for the years 2021 - 2023, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §184 and General Municipal Law §209(b), the
Town Board duly conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed Agreement on Monday,
th
August 17, 2020 and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, a copy of the proposed Agreement has been presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, on behalf of the Fire Protection District,
hereby approves the Fire Protection Service Agreement between the Town and the North Queensbury
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., for the years 2021 - 2023 substantially in the form presented at this meeting,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute
such Agreement and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
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Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING: 2021-2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND QEENSBURY CENTRAL VOLUNTEER
FIRE CO., INC.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 8
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 7, 2020
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, Queensbury Central Fire Company is the busiest and they have
two houses. House number one on Lafayette and house number two on Aviation Road. House number
two used to be house number one. Before it was house number one there was another house number
one on Foster Avenue, right? Do I have that right, Queensbury Central? Yes. So, and I’ve been in
little meetings at that firehouse on Foster Avenue. I think it’s probably… now. Queensbury Central
is by far the busiest. Well, they have Route 9, they have the Great Escape, they have the hotels, they
have the plazas, they have the million dollar mile. It’s very demanding. That’s where the motorcycle
and vehicle accidents are. So, they’re very busy. Their proposed budget, again it’s a two percent
increase, so for 2021 being proposed $835,793, for 2022: two percent, so that will be $852,509; and
for 2023 it will be $869,559. Again, I want to repeat, if you think those numbers are high, what if we
had paid fire? What do you think those numbers would be? I said you’ve got 50-60 volunteers. How
about if you have 50-60 people that were getting salaries, getting benefits, retirement. Now that’s
sounding better all the time, doesn’t it guys. For all the work they put in they probably deserve some
of that. So I will open the public hearing on Queensbury Central. First, is there anybody present who
would like to speak to Queensbury Central’s proposed contract for the next three years? Seeing none,
Youtube: area code 518…
COUNCILMAN FREER- John…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Oh, I’m sorry. Sir, please come forward and identify yourself for the
record…
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
ROMAN JAROSH- My name is Roman Jarosh. I lived at 8 Crownwood Lane for 32 years. Mr.
Strough, you are right. I commend the volunteer fire department for all the great work they do, putting
out fires and helping others. However, we ask you and the Board to vote no on this… budget
agreement for the Queensbury Central Fire Department for one specific reason. That is, the siren. We
want this vote not to be construed as a vote against the volunteers, but it’s a vote to preserve the peace
and quality of life in our neighborhood (siren sounded from the audience)…So imagine what it’s like
with the windows open and you’re a hundred yards away… let me just give you some pertinent
information. That siren was turned off and silent for seven years. For all those seven years, the fire
department answered with a complete one hundred percent response rate for fire and emergency calls
without the neighbors hearing the siren. So there are other means of primary and secondary means of
notifying the firefighters that have been used that are still being used. There is no need for the siren
now, as there was no need of it when it was silenced. Now, this is little disingenuous here as it is
currently turned off from the hours of 9pm to 9am and the response rate to calls is still fantastic, one
hundred percent without the siren. That begs the question to be asked that if it’s off for 12 hours that
with no jeopardy to essential services, why not 24 hours. There are no state or federal laws that say a
community has to have a fire siren to notify the firefighters. The National Fire Protection Association
who sets standards for the emergency services recommends primary and secondary means of
notifying the firefighters. How that is done is up to us. It is a community by community, fire
department by fire department decision to have a fire siren. I was able to download a scanner from
the department’s website so I could listen to calls. The department says they voted to keep the siren
active. How many of the members actually reside within the hearing distance of that siren? I think
Mr. Ferone might have some figure on that. How many firemen can actually hear that siren and live
in that area. The fire department is supported by our tax dollars and all those that live in that district.
They should have a vote as to having that siren turned on or not, and not leave that to the fireman.
According to the website, banktracker.com, which is a commercial site for real estate and mortgages,
firehouses are number three as one of the most undesirable locations to live next door to. That means
that all the neighbors within a proximity of the firehouse have had their properties devalued by the
sound of the siren and should appeal their assessments and have them lowered. This is a financial
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 9
issue for us when we tried to sell our houses and for the town once people realize their assessments
lowered by having their property taxes lowered. There seems to be a lot of smoke blowing our way
from the fire department as to why the decision was made to turn the siren off and then to turn it back
on. Why did it take seven years to fix it if it was such a necessity for the fire department? Seven years
it was off. That’s not a necessity. The answer is was not a necessity and it is not a necessity. If it was
then my homeowners insurance rate would go up because there’s no notification to the fire
department. Insurance companies would have noticed that…and increased our rates. We have no
other recourse left to us other than to ask you as our elected representatives that you exercise the
power of the purse and stipulate that the siren be silenced before you consider voting on the
department’s budget. I hope that my appeal does not fall on deaf ears. Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you. Anybody else? There are other Dorset Place residents…Yes
sir, please come forward. Identify yourself for the record.
JOHN DAVIS- 10 Crownwood Lane- I live probably a hundred and fifty yards from the firehouse.
There’s really three concerns. The trailer park is a septic bomb with 60 trailers living in there. Across
the street is the chlorine station for the water department for Glens Falls. But I’m telling you the siren
is the most annoying thing after living there seven years free of it. I hope you approach with due
diligence my reduction of $5,000 of my property value if you chose to keep the siren going. I was in
the fire department before Mr. Slacks delivery service. We had little thing I put on top of my
refrigerator. A light went off, a broadcast went off, I knew where to go. The siren goes off, I’m
mowing my law, where do I go, just to the firehouse? I mean maybe the fire truck has already left. It
doesn’t go off in the middle of the night and there’s just as many emergencies. It’s pretty selective
and I don’t know how they accomplished it. It does not reduce my fire insurance one bit. I have a 32
thousand gallon pool and a fire hydrant across the street, do I get a reduction? No, it’s not a
professional fire department. That’s the fire insurance rules, I’m sorry, they’re a great fire department.
Maybe one or two of you know that a Queensbury fire department had one of the first fire captains in
the State of New York, North Queensbury about 25 years ago, hear, hear!
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you. Would anybody else like to speak to Queensbury Central’s
proposed budget? No one present. How about somebody watching Youtube, (518) 71-8225. While
we are waiting for phone calls, remember you have to have caller ID when you call, anybody on
Zoom wish to speak to Queensbury Central’s proposed contract with the Town for the next three
years? Okay, I’ll keep the public hearing open for a minute…
COUNCILMAN FREER- I’d like to hear what the fire department has to say in response.
Somebody’s here from Central, right?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Anyone from Central wish to respond to this request?
DAVID RAINVILLE, PRESIDENT- I know we’ve dealt with this for quite a few years. We turned
the siren down. It only goes off for five seconds and only winds up for about five seconds and it goes
back down again. We turned it off at night. According to the NFPA rulings that we have gotten, we
have to have two means of notification for calls. Our pagers are one and we use the siren for the other.
Cell phones are not reliable, according to what NFPA says. Actually, a few months ago we actually
missed a call because our pagers didn’t activate, the County was having problems with the towers and
dispatching. It was 10 minutes into the call before our pagers went off (again, siren sounded from the
audience).
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Is the NFPA position on cell phones a current position or is this
something that’s old?
MR. RAINVILLE- I believe so…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Where’s that coming from?
(recording of siren silenced)
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 10
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you.
MR. RAINVILLE- The Company has voted a couple of times to leave it like it is.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, well we’ve had this discussion before and we even offered to buy
a replacement siren thinking that there are sirens that are less intrusive available. None could be found
after many, many searches and many, many different sources and talking to many firemen and doing
…searches. We couldn’t find one that was less intrusive. They were all pretty intrusive. The decibel
levels were about the same.
MR. RAINVILLE- We thought about possibly moving it or raising it and we think that would cause
more issues. If we raised it higher, I think it would affect more people, I think.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So do you see anything in the near future where there might be a system
where we could go without the siren? Is there anything out there, I mean this is your field of expertise,
what are you…
MR. RAINVILLE- I’d have to bring it back to the company again. We can bring it up and discuss it
again.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Would you do that?
MR. RAINVILLE- I will do that, yes.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Well, wouldn’t it be better off with a split. I mean part of the problem is
this is a motorized siren that you said takes five seconds to wind up and lasts five seconds. That sounds
like a lot more than five seconds. I’m half a mile from your firehouse at the crow flies and I hear it
distinctively. I can’t imagine what it is for people who live right behind there. Based on some research
that I shared with John, there are units out there that apparently are recordings, if you will, of a sound,
which would automatically on and off. It sounds like if it wasn’t a NFPA requirement this would
probably be a non-issue, right?
MR. RAINVILLE- Possibly, possibly. The company votes on issues like this. Our company votes
and the majority decides.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- What was happening when the siren wasn’t going off? Were you out
of compliance?
MR. RAINVILLE- Actually, we didn’t get notified of a structure fire in West Glens Falls. They ended
up calling another company to replace us.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- During those, was it five year or seven…seven years that it didn’t
sound, how was that possible?
MR. RAINVILLE- I wasn’t involved with it then. I’m not sure.
COUNCILMAN FREER- David, what…I’m sorry…
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- The questions are just…go ahead.
COUNCILMAN FREER- So can you talk about, and you can say no, is it the vast majority or is it a
tight vote in terms of…
MR. RAINVILLE- It was the vast majority the last time we talked about it. But, I can bring it back
again. We can discuss it again at our next company meeting.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- If the majority of your firefighters are voting for it, my question is, how
many people are within that close-knit vicinity to actually hear the siren?
MR. RAINVILLE- Off the top of my head, …at least five or six people that live nearby.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 11
COUNCILMAN FERONE- But out of 50 volunteers, 60 volunteers?
MR. RAINVILLE- Well, we don’t have quite that many…probably low 40’s…
COUNCILMAN FERONE- So really, it’s a very small percentage of the total fire company
volunteers that would even be in the vicinity…
MR. RAINVILLE- Possibly.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Please don’t feel attacked by the questions, but is the vote for it
because there would be an undue burden to the find another way to be in compliance.
MR. RAINVILLE- Well, that’s one of the reasons. They claim cellphones are not reliable. According
to the NFPA, and that’s what we have to go by so…
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- And that’s by checking their website or something that a human
being from there actually said to you?
MR. RAINVILEE- I’m not sure, it was done before I became president so…
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Okay.
MR. RAINVILLE- I’m not sure. I know there’s a book of rules and regs.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And the one on Lafayette has a fire siren.
MR. RAINVILLE- Yes.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- And South has a fire siren, North has a Fire siren, West has a fire siren,
Bay Ridge has a fire siren. They all have fire sirens.
COUNCILMAN FREER- It’s my understanding that West’s goes off at two in the morning.
MR. RAINVILLE- Yes. I’m closer to their station. I can hear it.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Can I ask a question past him to somebody whose already spoken?
Have either of you researched what other communities have done in these sorts of disputes?
MR. DAVIS- I would start with the sheriff because the sheriff …has secure phones. Why doesn’t the
fire department? Right, does the sheriff have any difficulty reaching his road patrol or getting enough
turnout? When was the last time Queensbury missed a call, three years, four years?
MR. RAINVILLE- About two months ago.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Sorry.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- The question is a fair question, but the point of order is since this has to
be recorded it has to be linear.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- …linear, okay.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That if you have a question…
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Sorry.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- …When David’s done, you can request that they come up and respond
to your question, okay.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- How long have you been captain?
MR. RAINVILLE- I’m president. This is my first year.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 12
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Okay. So we can still check with the NFPA and it might be a
different…
MR. RAINVILLE- I’ll have it looked into and I’ll talk about it again at the next … meeting…changed.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- The other question I would just ask is can you check if there are any
other fire companies in the state who have another means other than the combination of the siren and
the pagers.
MR. RAINVILLE- Yes. We’ve tried to explore every avenues, we really have. That seems to be the
best fit for us. At the time it was.
COUNCILMAN FREER- What happens between 9pm and 9am?
MR. RAINVILLE- Well we actually missed a couple of months ago.
COUNCILMAN FREER- I know but you said you had to be compliant, but you’re not compliant 12
hours…I’m confused.
MR. RAINVILLE- Well, the company decided to do it that way for the neighbors.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Could you possibly…
MR. RAINVILLE- That was a few years ago we decided to do that.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- But you could do the cellphones as a backup?
MR. RAINVILLE- I’d have to check with NFPA, I’m not sure.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- John, could you clarify your point when you said we looked at new
sirens.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, we did. We thought maybe there was a siren out there that wasn’t
a WWII kind of, you know, duck under the table, type of sirens…
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Which I was about to do a few minutes ago…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We thought a newer siren might be, if possible, more pleasant to the
neighbors. But we found no sirens that would be much more pleasant.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Yeah but Bay Ridge and North Queensbury have sirens and they’re
not like that.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No and you know, like Councilperson Ferone said, maybe we could get
one that was an audio type. It might be shorter, but it’s still going to be loud, it’s still going to be so
many decibels.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Eliminate the wind up and the wind down though.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Do you happen to know the age of that unit?
MR. RAINVILLE- Been told it’s a WWII surplus.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- And probably there since the firehouse has been there, right.
MR. RAINVILLE-...with the firehouse. I don’t know if it came from Foster Avenue or if Foster
Avenue was still open at the time.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 13
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- When we heard that we had to get underneath the kitchen table or go to
a hallway and …put our hands over our head and move next to the wall…Nevertheless it
was…Alright, in all fairness, we’ll get back to the drawing table to see if it absolutely has to be a siren
if we can get a better one. The agreement was, if the Town talking about this, we would pay for it
because you guys pretty much have, we keep you pretty close as far as your budget and your apparatus
replacement, your capital projects and so forth.
MR. RAINVILLE- Right.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- So we’ll leave that door open. You’re going to talk about it with your
folks again.
MR. RAINVILLE- I will at the next…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- You’ve heard, and there’s several people here that haven’t spoken yet,
or if they want to, I don’t know. I don’t live too far from it, but if we could address it, I think that
would be nice and so we’ll work in that direction to see what we can do.
MR. RAINVILLE- Alright, I will bring it back.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Would there be an opportunity for, I’m going to throw John under the
bus, for the Supervisor and myself to come and speak to this subject with the firemen.
MR. RAINVILLE- Yes, that’s good.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Okay, you would let us know?
MR. RAINVILLE- Yes.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Thank you.
MR. RAINVILLE- I will give you a call.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Amanda, did you have a question for one of the residents?
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Well… did you…
MR. JAROSH- Actually, Mr. Freer you made a valid point, if that siren was off for seven years they
were out of compliance and yet they were not fined whatsoever, so that’s obviously not a requirement
for that siren to be on at all. As I mention, the National Fire Protection Association sets standards for
emergency services and recognizes primary and secondary means of notifying firefighters. It does not
say a siren. It’s the community by community department, fire department decision. It also should be
up to you. There does not have to be a siren for means of notification. There’s a primary and secondary
and that’s up to us to decide.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I know you live on Dorset Place too.
MR. JAROSH- No, I live on Crownwood, less than 100 yards away…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Are you on the corner?
MR. JAROSH- No, my backyard is right up against the fire department’s property.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Oh, okay. Alright, any other questions, Amanda?
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- I mean, in talking about the other sirens, it would seem to me that the
purpose of a siren no matter what it’s call is is to disrupt. So I think it would likely be a waste of our
time and your time to look for a different siren. I think the route is can it be done without a siren? It
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 14
seems very antiquated to say that cellphones don’t work as a secondary means and if it’s about missing
calls, I think with a passionate, driven volunteer company, they would be open to anything so long as
long as it isn’t about these regulations. I wish I had done more research before tonight. I did not and
I will own that. I think that the department and the residents, there should be great good will because
of the exchange and the trust. I would love to commit to finding a way to resolve it.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Well work on that and…
MR. JAROSH- Andy, did you say a couple of times you saw that the firemen already at the trucks…
ANDY CUNNIFF- You guys get notified with your pagers first before the siren goes off? I believe
so because I’ve seen fire people with their lights…
COUNCILMAN FREER- Yes, this is not…point of order…
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Andy, do you want to speak to anything? I will invite you up.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright… thank you…
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Please identify yourself for the record.
ANDY CUNNIFF- Andy Cunniff, 4 Dorset Place. I think I might be the closest, maybe my next door
neighbor is. We have a pool in the backyard, we have grandkids now and when…not like you guys
can do anything about it, but when that goes off, it’s deafening. The CDC says that 107 decibels, that
that goes off at can damage your hearing. So the women go for their babies and cover their ears when
they’re in my backyard when that goes off. You don’t know when it’s going to go off…it was off for
seven years. I know they’ve made their calls. If it’s a fluke they’ve missed a call maybe everybody
was away or out partying. You can’t fix that. I used to work for National Grid responding to gas leaks
and we’d take calls via cellphone. We made our calls, cellphones work. I don’t understand why
they’re saying they don’t work. If they live too far away from cell towers maybe they can’t be first
responders. But, yeah it’s pretty annoying. I’d like to have them over in my yard when it goes off.
Plus next door is the Prospect School with handicap children. I’ve got to believe that really affects
them. They’ve already got some problems, I assume. When that goes off, I can’t imagine what it does
to them. Their play yard is a hundred feet from it. You know that Chazen report you guys had done?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-Yes.
MR. CUNNIFF- It says it’s 107 decibels.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Yeah, the one that I tried to find, I can get one for 106 decibels. You
know, that’s not the solution either.
MR. CUNNIFF- No, I think moving up on the water tower by John Strough…Well, I don’t know
where the volunteers are.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I was just going to say that.
COUNCILMAN FREER- well, I’d like to commit with Amanda and try to find a solution to this. I
don’t think it’s…I plan on passing the budget but I think we need to take this as an action, because
this is not just Central’s problem. There are other people who are complaining about this.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- John, have we ever talked about moving it up to the water tower?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- No, I mean, that’s one thought.
COUNCILMAN FREER- I think there’s a better solution.
MR. CUNNIFF- Well, if it’s closer to the volunteers. I don’t know where they live.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 15
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Well, we don’t get complaints from North Q, from West…
COUNCILMAN FREER- Yes, we do.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- You have to think where they are.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- My first phone…
COUNCILMAN FREER- We do.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- It’s not right on top of a neighborhood. If you look at Lafayette, if you
look at Veterans Road, yes there’s houses near there but there’s nobody really on top of it verses in
this situation.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- So, if we throw it up on the water tower by John’s house.
MR. CUNNIFF- There might be a better spot.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We have a cell tower, don’t forget that.
MR. DAVIS- We can hear Webster’s which is Queensbury Central from where we live. Why don’t
you just use one siren?
MR. CUNNIFF- Truly, maybe that would do the…
MR. DAVIS- How’s that?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- I appreciate, the neighbors coming forward and…
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- We’ve got some work to do.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We’re going to extend the talks. You know we had those talks, it didn’t
go anywhere. The times have changed, the moods have changed. We’ll try and bring it to the company
at a meeting and see if they will work with the Town to take a more active approach to try to find a
solution to this.
MR. CUNNIFF- Maybe there’s other ways to communicate to them other than a pager or a cell phone.
Maybe there’s something else.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We’ll look into that, Andy. Anything else? Alright, thank you.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- John.
JOHN HODGKINS- John Hodgkins, North Queensbury Fire. I’m going to get in trouble for talking,
but that’s okay. There is another system we are using at the County…North Queensbury. The “I am
Responding” System. It comes over your cellphone. After the tones go out on our pager, we get it to
our cellphone. For us we decided to adopt it because it’s a handy system because we can push a button
and tell that we are responding, number one and we can hit another google map and it will tell us
where we’re going. So, it’s been very handy. I don’t know if Central is using it. It does have it’s flaws
though. It everyone doesn’t have a cellphone that works in that area, they might get their call a half
an hour later. Maybe as part of the contract…right now you can’t have cellphones as far as
distributing. So if there’s somebody without you can’t pay for them as far as the contract. So that
might be something to look at, that is part of the contract if you’re aware. But there is a second system
in the County right now and we are using it. I actually use it quite a bit because it’s a lot easier to sit
there and look at your phone and hit google map and now you know where …
COUNCILMAN FREER- But do you have a siren too, John.
MR. HODGKINS- We have a siren, yeah. I think we all have sirens. I can hear the siren from my
house, a long way away and it doesn’t disturb us because it’s away from anyone close. Actually, I do
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 16
know a gentleman that makes them jump a little bit. I think we’ve all had sirens, and I don’t know
about compliance at the NFPA. We’ve never had that discussion, never worry about it. We used to
have phones that called everybody’s house but this goes a long way away. But, currently we have
pagers and we come across our cellphone for “I am Responding” so there are two systems right now
that are working. So you might want to talk to Brian LaFlure to see what his thoughts are on the whole
thing and see where to go from there.
COUNCILMAN FREER- So is it a text or a call?
MR. HODGKINS- You’re going to get a text.
COUNCILMAN FREER- Yeah so texting is more reliable than cellphone.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Correct.
MR. HODGKINS- You’re going to get the text, you’re going to hit it, it’s going to ding you so you
going to be able to come up and be able to go to it and respond to it. It’s not a bad little system.
Actually, it’s pretty good and it can get bigger and bigger. You can use it so you can say I’m going to
be there, I’m going to be there in five minutes, I’m going directly to the call. There’s a lot of things
you can do with it. Right now the handiest thing is if you don’t have this on you just want to carry
this you’ve got the call and you get the google map and now you know where it’s going to be; which
is really handy, especially when you are out of an area that you don’t know about. We’re traveling
through the mutual aid call in Queensbury Central here, and if I can hit that, I know where the address
is where I might not know that area very well. Say, vice versa, if they’re coming up our way, they can
hit that and say I know where Cleverdale is or Fieldview Road … you’re living down this way you
won’t know that. But, it is available so talk to him and see if it’s legit.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Is there a big expense related to that for you.
MR. HODGKINS- I don’t know. We didn’t send a lot on it. I’m the Treasurer and I don’t remember
any big dollars going out, no. So it’s all a provided system so I would say no.
COUNCILMAN FERONE- Okay.
MR. HODGKINS- Everyone has to have a cellphone, and it’s our personal cellphone you’re putting
it on. You’re opting into the service as a volunteer. But, there has been people if you’re on Verizon
verses AT&T or Sprint, some of them have problems where they are, but we’re in a little bit more
rural area out there that’s where the cellphone services can be kind of iffy. But we all seem to use it
and it comes out pretty well.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Any other questions for John?
COUNCILMAN FERONE- No, thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you, John. Yes, sir…not…Roman, Roman, the person in back…I
just want to make sure everyone gets a chance.
JOE MALI- I was going to be quiet. Joe Mali, Queensbury Central. I was the president when they
brought this to our attention so I figured I should come up and set a couple things straight… The
original siren…that blast during this Town Board Meeting was before we shrank it down to five
seconds. It does not sound like that anymore, as loud as that. We were trying to work with all the
neighbors. George, fifteen people live in that area right around…so that’s what’s…I was…counting
back there in the back too. We did work on it, the decibel systems, we do have it as low as it can go.
There are several other sirens. I live near Bay Ridge’s and I hear Bay Ridge’s sirens all the time. I
hear West Glens Falls from my house and I live down here on Berry Patch. So, I mean, you can hear
those sirens a long way, yes, we do understand that. We’ve been trying to figure out what to do, the
best way to do it. Amanda, NFPA requires a second mode of application is not part of the cellphone
system because cellphones are unreliable, as John has just said. We were the first company, one of
the first companies in the Town to use “I am Responding” to do that. We even went to NFPA and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 17
asked them will that count. No, it will not because the gaps in cell service you have. That’s the other
thing too, there’s a lot of gaps still in this area with cell service. You can drive up Country Club Road
and lose cell service on Verizon, right at Country Club and Sweet.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- I have three teenagers and I’m well aware of where all the pockets of
no service are.
MR. MALI- Yes.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- I’m curious though what say NFPA has over your companies?
MR. MALI- It’s part of our contract with you folks that we have to follow the NFPA guidelines as
well. All the fire companies and they are the National Fire Protection Agency, which before OSHA’s
NFPA. So that’s basically what it is, that’s who give us our air pack qualifications, our interior
firefighter, exterior firefighter, what we have to carry on our trucks. They give us all those rules. We
have been trying how to figure out how to do it. That’s why it only goes off from 9am to 9pm. We
were not the only fire companies that did get dispatched to that call. There were two fire companies
that responded 10 minutes into that call and it was a structure fire with possible entrapment, I believe
in one of the neighboring towns. So there were two fire companies that did not hear the call because
of the failure at the dispatch center for that. So that is the one reason for…also. It may be, and you
might want to check with Brian on this, but it might be one of the only civil defense warnings in the
area too, still for that. You have the dam up above, Butler Pond Dam, and you also have the Glens
Falls…as pointed out to you. If those go out the fastest warning to everybody is not just text message,
it will be that siren. It’s to warn the civilians, the people that’s something’s up. Prospect Schools was
mentioned. Prospect Schools wants our siren to go off. That’s why it’s still going off during school
hours because they cross that street. They know when they cross that street that there’s a potential that
there’s emergency traffic coming down that way. So they will push those kids farther across that road.
Get them into the buildings so that way they are out of the road. That was brought up too. We went
and talked to Prospect School about that. So I hope all of this helps give you a little more history
behind it. They’ve done, I did email Dave a copy of the NFPA guidelines so he will be able to send it
out to you, as well.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Great, thank you.
MR. MALI- Any other questions for me while I’m here? Okay, thanks.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Thank you, Joe. Roman.
MR. JAROSH- I will be the first one to write a check for the texting system, seriously. If they need
the money and that siren goes off, I’m in, you have my word.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- We’ve got it on record, Roman.
MR. JAROSH- You got it, and the NFPA, if that siren was off for seven years and they were not in
compliance, what good is the NFPA?
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Alright, thank you. Anybody else? Yes, sir.
MR. DAVIS- What’s the response time where there is a professional fire department like Glens Falls?
I bet it’s like within five minutes, 50 seconds. I bet you our great fire companies in the Town of
Queensbury are within eight or nine minutes of that. I bet they don’t turn out lacking people. They do
not need the siren. You have authorized enough money to pay for probably two thirds of the Glens
Falls Fire Department. I realize you are covering five times the size but it’s the same population and
we have great volunteers. If it was up to you, I would give them three percent and turn off the sirens.
Thank you.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Anybody else? Alright, anybody through Youtube, 518-761-8225.
Anybody through Zoom? I talk to my computer, that’s where the Zoom people are, right here. Alright,
hearing no more on behalf of the public, I will close the public hearing.
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 18
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Certainly not going to not pass this budget, but we obviously have to
figure this out. We can’t penalize these guys, but we need to work on this.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Like I said, we tried before and we’ll try again. Okay, is that a motion
to approve?
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- I’ll move.
COUNCILMAN FREER- I’ll second.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION APPROVING 2021 - 2023 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND
QUEENSBURY CENTRAL VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 266, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Anthony Metivier
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. Harrison Freer
WHEREAS, fire protection services are provided to the Town of Queensbury by the Bay
Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., Queensbury Central
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., and West Glens Falls Volunteer
Fire Co., Inc., in accordance with agreements between each Fire Company and the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Agreement with the Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire Co., Inc.
will expire as of December 31, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the Town and the Queensbury Central Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., have negotiated
terms for a new three (3) year Agreement for fire protection services for the years 2021 - 2023, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §184 and General Municipal Law §209(b), the
Town Board duly conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed Agreement on Monday,
th
August 17, 2020 and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, a copy of the proposed Agreement has been presented at this meeting,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 19
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, on behalf of the Fire Protection District,
hereby approves the Fire Protection Service Agreement between the Town and the Queensbury
Central Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., for the years 2021 - 2023 substantially in the form presented at this
meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute
such Agreement and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PUBLIC HEARING: 2021-2025 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND SOUTH QUEENSBURY VOLUNTEER FIRE
CO., INC.
NOTICE SHOWN
PUBLICATION DATE: AUGUST 7, 2020
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Again, here too this great group of people, men and women volunteer
their service. We’ve had to work very closely with South Q. over the past five years. I mean, we all
know the building needed some …attention, but do we have the kind of funding to replace the
building? Well, we investigated that and it turned out to be very expensive this day in age. So, they
sat down and worked with us and they said alright, what we can meet the budget that you’re
comfortable with and we’ll renovate the current building, and we’re going to change some things
around so that they’re going to have a much nicer firehouse. So they’re taking out a loan for this as
part of their debt service. They’ve got this in their budget. So their three-year budget, again it’s a two
percent increase…
COUNCILMAN FREER- It’s five years, John.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- It’s five years. Thank you for correcting me. I get into that three year
mode. It’s five years for South Q. because the bank insisted on a five-year contract. So again, we did
the two percent. So what’s being proposed for 2021 is $383,812, 2022 is $391,488, for 2023 it’s
$399,318, for 2024 $407,304 and for 2025 $415,450. So I want to thank with everybody for working
with us. You know there were times when we got a little frustrated but everyone stayed professional.
I got to give South Q. credit. We got through it and we are where we are today. I’ll open the public
hearing on South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company’s proposed fire protection service agreement
between the Town and themselves for a five-year period. I read you the numbers. Is there any member
of the public here tonight wishes to speak to this proposed contract with South Queensbury Volunteer
Fire Company? Seeing none present, Youtube, again, area code 518 761-8225. While we are waiting
for someone to call in, and remember, your number has to show up on the caller ID screen. Is there
anybody on Zoom that wishes to speak to South Queensbury’s proposed five year contract? What did
I do wrong?
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 20
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- What, nothing.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- Okay, I don’t see anybody and I don’t hear anybody. I’ve given the
audience who is present an opportunity to speak to this. Any Town Board thoughts before we go to a
motion?
COUNCILMAN FREER- I just want to echo your comments on how this is an integral part of the
community and I think the renovation will help the community in ways beyond the fire department.
It will certainly make the fire department more effective, but I have high hopes that it will be a catalyst
to some real reenergizing of that part of Queensbury.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH- That too, but you also spurred a thought that I needed to mention but
wasn’t mentioned before and I’m taking off of you, these buildings serve as safe harbors. We’ve had
hurricanes that come up here, fortunately, they’re rare. We’ve had huge storm events and we’ve had
ice storms and we used their buildings for safe havens. They have generators built in, they have public
restrooms, they have big rooms, they even have water storage. They are prepared to serve the public
in the event of something horrible happening. They are places of safe haven or safe harbor, whatever
you want to call it. So thank you for bringing that up. Okay, so I closed the public hearing on South
Queensbury seeing no interest in the public to speak to this.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
RESOLUTION APPROVING 2021 - 2025 FIRE PROTECTION SERVICE
AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND
SOUTH QUEENSBURY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY, INC.
RESOLUTION NO.: 267, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Harrison Freer
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHEREAS, fire protection services are provided to the Town of Queensbury by the Bay
Ridge Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., Queensbury Central
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., and West Glens Falls Volunteer
Fire Co., Inc., in accordance with agreements between each Fire Company and the Town, and
WHEREAS, the Town’s Agreement with the South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc. will
expire as of December 31, 2020, and
WHEREAS, the Town and the South Queensbury Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., have negotiated
terms for a new five (5) year Agreement for fire protection services for the years 2021 - 2025, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 21
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §184 and General Municipal Law §209(b), the
Town Board duly conducted a public hearing concerning the proposed Agreement on Monday,
th
August 17, 2020 and heard all interested persons, and
WHEREAS, a copy of the proposed Agreement has been presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, on behalf of the Fire Protection District,
hereby approves the Fire Protection Service Agreement between the Town and the South Queensbury
Volunteer Fire Co., Inc., for the years 2021 - 2025 substantially in the form presented at this meeting,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to execute
such Agreement and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget Officer to take such other and further
action necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
3.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR FOR RESOLUTIONS ONLY (LIMIT- 3 MIN)
COUNCILMAN FREER- Questioned Highway Superintendent, Dave Duell regarding
Resolution 4.6 entitled Resolution Authorizing Advertisement of Bids for Heavy Haul
Truck/Tractor for Highway Department.
COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Congratulated Scott Rowland on Resolution 4.7 entitled
Resolution Authorizing Promotion of Scott Rowland from Mechanic to Working
Supervisor.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE- Spoke on Resolution 4.8 entitled Resolution Authorizing
Travel Policy During COVID-19 Pandemic.
4.0 RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MODIFICATION OF POLICY RELATED
TO CARRY OVER OF EARNED VACATION DAYS TO 2021 DUE TO
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
RESOLUTION NO.: 268, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 22
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury (Town) has entered into a Collective Bargaining
Agreement with the Town of Queensbury Unit of the Civil Service Employees Association, Inc.
(CSEA) regarding employment of the Town’s bargaining unit employees, and
WHEREAS, by Resolution Nos: 123,2020 and 133,2020, the Town Board authorized
adoption of its COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan and Revised Plan, and
WHEREAS, as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,
CSEA and Town employees may not be able to use their earned vacation days in 2020 by December
31, 2020, and therefore the Town Board wishes to adopt a policy to provide all Town employees with
additional flexibility regarding the use of earned, but unused vacation days,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19
Pandemic, the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes a modification to the Town’s vacation
policy to provide all Town employees with additional flexibility regarding the use of earned vacation
days as follows:
VACATION DAYS.
For calendar year 2020 only, employees may carry over earned, but unused vacation
days to 2021 for use in 2021 in accordance with the following:
1. By August 31, 2020, each Department Manager must either approve or
disapprove this accommodation for employees within his/her Department to carry over
earned, but unused vacation days that may exist on December 31, 2020 to be used in 2021.
2. If this accommodation is approved by the Department Manager, all employees
in his/her Department may carry over up to 5 earned, but unused vacation days to 2021 for
use in 2021 in addition to any provision in an existing policy for non-bargaining unit
employees or the provisions in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with CSEA for
bargaining unit employees.
3. This 2020 vacation carryover policy is a one-time accommodation and shall
not serve as any precedent in the future for any reason.
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
forward copies of this Resolution to all Town Department Managers and the Town Supervisor and/or
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 23
Town Budget Officer to take such other and further actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this
Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ENGAGEMENT OF CHEAP
PETE’S LAWN CARE FOR ONE-TIME CLEANUP AND
MOWING OF ABANDONED OR NEGLECTED PROPERTY
1 EDGEWATER PLACE
RESOLUTION NO.: 269, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury’s Director of Building and Codes Enforcement
(Director) has reported to the Town Board that the property located at 1 Edgewater Place in the Town
is in a state of serious neglect in that the rear yard needs to be cleared of junk, garbage and discarded
items and the front, side and rear yards need to be mowed, and therefore the Director recommends
that the Town Board authorize both a one-time cleanup of the junk, garbage and discarded items, as
well as monthly mowing of this property in August and September, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has concluded that the condition of the property creates a public
health hazard due to concerns regarding garbage, fire and the harboring of ticks and other vermin in
the tall grass, and
WHEREAS, the Director reports that he has previously attempted to contact the owner of
record by certified letter and/or posting of the property, and
WHEREAS, the Director reports that his efforts have been to no avail and he has been unable
to reach anyone or to obtain any resolution of the situation, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 24
WHEREAS, in accordance with Town Law §64 (5-a), the Town Board may require the
owners of land to cut, trim or remove from the land owned by them, brush, grass, rubbish or weeds
or to spray poisonous shrubs or weeds on such land, and upon default, may cause such grass, brush,
rubbish or weeds to be cut, trimmed or removed and such poisonous shrubs or weeds to be sprayed
by the Town and the total expense of such cutting, trimming, removal or spraying may be assessed
by the Town Board on the real property on which such grass, rubbish, weeds or poisonous shrubs or
weeds were found and the expense so assessed shall constitute a lien and charge on the real property
on which it is levied until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged and shall be collected in the same
manner and at the same time as other Town charges,
WHEREAS, the Director obtained quotes for the one-time cleanup and monthly mowing of
the property, and
WHEREAS, Cheap Pete’s Lawn Care submitted quotes dated 8/7/2020 as follows: 1) one-
time cleanup - $275; 2) initial mowing (August) - $125; 3) monthly lawn mowing - $75 (
September) for a total amount not to exceed $475 and therefore the Director recommends that the
Town Board engage their services,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT,
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board directs that a final notice shall be sent by U.S.
mail to the Property Owner of Record as set forth above requiring that they cleanup and mow the
lawn on their property within 10 days and failing to do so, the Town will cause such action to be taken
and the cost thereof will be assessed by the Town Board on the real property and the assessment shall
constitute a lien and charge on the real property until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged and
shall be collected in the same manner and at the same time as other Town charges, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves of the Director of Building and Codes
Enforcement’s engagement of the services of Cheap Pete’s Lawn Care for the cleanup and mowing
of the property located at 1 Edgewater Place as delineated in this Resolution and as set forth in Cheap
Pete’s Lawn Care’s quotes dated 8/7/2020 as follows: 1) one-time cleanup - $275; 2) initial
mowing (August) - $125; 3) monthly lawn mowing - $75 ( September) for a total amount not to
exceed $475, to be paid on a monthly basis upon Cheap Pete’s Lawn Care submitting proper
invoices to the Town outlining the dates on which the property was cleaned up and/or mowed, to
be paid for from Account No.: 001-3620-4400, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board authorizes and directs the Town Budget Officer to amend
the Town Budget and transfer $475 from Contingency Account No.: 001-1990-4400 to Account No.:
001-3620-4400 and take any other and all actions necessary to provide for such payment, and
BE IT FURTHER,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 25
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Director of Building and
Codes Enforcement to inform the Town Assessor and/or Town Receiver of Taxes and Assessments
of the total expenses of such cleanup, cutting, trimming, removal or spraying of the property so that
the expenses can be properly assessed and constituted as a lien and charge on the real property on
which it is levied until paid or otherwise satisfied or discharged so that such sum may be collected in
the same manner and at the same time as other Town charges, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Director of Building and Codes Enforcement and/or Town Budget Officer to take all actions
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING HIRING OF CHERYL VIELE
AS FULL-TIME CLEANER FOR BUILDING & GROUNDS DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 270, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury’s Facilities Manager has advised the Town Board that
there is a vacant, full-time, second-shift Cleaner position in the Building & Grounds Department
(Department), and
WHEREAS, the Facilities Manager posted availability for the vacant position, reviewed
resumes, applications, interviewed candidates and has recommended that the Town Board approve
the hiring of Cheryl Viele, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board has considered the Facilities Manager’s request and wishes to
approve Ms. Viele’s employment in this position,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Facilities
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 26
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Manager to hire Cheryl Viele as a full-time, second-shift Cleaner effective on or about August 18,
2020, contingent upon: 1) Ms. Viele passing her pre-employment physical; 2) the Town successfully
completing background checks as reasonably may be necessary to judge fitness for the duties for
which hired; 3) drug and/or alcohol screening; and 4) a twenty-six (26) week probationary period,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that Ms. Viele shall be paid at the hourly rate of pay listed in the current CSEA
Union Agreement for the position, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Facilities Manager and/or Town Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action necessary
to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020 by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT
BETWEEN TOWN OF QUEENSBURY AND VILLAGE OF HUDSON
FALLS FOR SHARED WATER SUPPLY SERVICES, MACHINERY,
EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL
RESOLUTION NO.: 271, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, all municipalities have authority to contract with other municipalities for the
purpose of renting, leasing, exchanging or borrowing machinery and equipment and to borrow or lend
materials and supplies to other municipalities, and
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury (Town ) and the Village of Hudson Falls (Village) each
have water supply machinery and equipment which is idle at certain times and often have materials
and supplies on hand which are not immediately needed, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 27
WHEREAS, by the renting, borrowing or exchanging of machinery, equipment and
supplies, the Town and the Village may avoid purchasing certain needed water supply machinery
and equipment or keeping a large inventory of extra materials and supplies, thereby saving their
respective taxpayers’ money, and
WHEREAS, the Town and the Village negotiated terms for an Intermunicipal Agreement for
shared water supply services, machinery, equipment, supplies and support personnel and by
Resolution No.: 214,2011, the Town Board, on behalf of the Queensbury Consolidated Water District,
approved of an Intermunicipal Agreement for Shared Water Supply Services, Machinery, Equipment,
Supplies and Support Personnel with the Village for a five (5) year term, and
WHEREAS, the Town Water Superintendent has recommended that the Town enter into such
an Intermunicipal Agreement for a new five (5) year term, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes that such Agreement would be in the best interests of
the Town, its residents, and its Consolidated Water District, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board, on behalf of the Queensbury Consolidated
Water District, hereby approves of and authorizes an Intermunicipal Agreement for Shared Water
Supply Services, Machinery, Equipment, Supplies and Support Personnel with the Village of Hudson
Falls as delineated in the preambles of this Resolution for a five (5) year term, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to
execute such Intermunicipal Agreement substantially in the form presented at this meeting and
authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor, Town Water Superintendent and/or Town Budget Officer
to take such other and further actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADOPTION OF
RETENTION AND DISPOSITION SCHEDULE FOR
NEW YORK LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS (LGS-1)
RESOLUTION NO.: 272, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 28
WHEREAS, the New York State Archives is revising and consolidating its local
government records retention and disposition schedules and issuing a single, comprehensive
retention schedule for all New York State local governments, including the Town of
Queensbury, entitled the “Retention and Disposition Schedule for New York Local Governments
or LGS-1” (LGS-1) which will supersede and replace prior schedules effective as of August 1,
2020, and
WHEREAS, local governments must adopt LGS-1 prior to utilizing it, and
WHEREAS, the Town Clerk/Records Access Officer has recommended that the Town
Board now adopt the LGS-1,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, in accordance with Article 57-A of the Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, the
Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes adoption of the “Retention and Disposition Schedule
for New York Local Governments or LGS-1” (LGS-1) which contains legal minimum retention
periods for local government records for use by all officers in legally disposing of valueless
records listed therein, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that in accordance with Article 57-A:
a) Only those records will be disposed of that are described in LGS-1, after they have met
the minimum retention periods described therein;
b) Only those records will be disposed of that do not have sufficient administrative, fiscal,
legal or historical value to merit retention beyond established legal minimum periods;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor
and/or Town Clerk/Town Records Access Officer to take such other and further actions as may be
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 29
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDS FOR HEAVY
HAUL TRUCK/TRACTOR FOR TOWN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
RESOLUTION NO.: 273, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury’s Highway Superintendent has advised the Town
Board that he wishes to advertise for bids for the purchase of a 2015 or newer Heavy Haul
Truck/Tractor as will be described in bid documents/specifications to be prepared by the Highway
Superintendent and/or Purchasing Agent, and
WHEREAS, General Municipal Law §103 requires that the Town advertise for bids and
award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder meeting New York State statutory requirements and
the requirements set forth in the Town’s bidding documents,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town of
Queensbury Purchasing Agent to publish an advertisement for bids for a 2015 or newer Heavy Haul
Truck/Tractor in the official newspaper for the Town of Queensbury and/or through the New York
State Office of General Services Procurement Program, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Purchasing Agent to
open, read aloud and record all bids received and present the bids to the next regular or special Town
Board meeting.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROMOTION OF SCOTT ROWLAND
FROM MECHANIC TO WORKING SUPERVISOR IN
TOWN HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 30
RESOLUTION NO.: 274, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury’s Highway Superintendent has advised that there is
currently a vacancy in the Working Supervisor position in the Highway Department, and
WHEREAS, consistent with the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Highway
Superintendent posted for such position, and
WHEREAS, Scott Rowland, a current full-time Mechanic within the Department, requested
a promotion to the position, and
WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent recommends that the Town Board authorize the
promotion of Mr. Rowland from Mechanic to Working Supervisor as Mr. Rowland has met the
qualifications and has the required job experience for the position, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to authorize the requested promotion,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the promotion
of Scott Rowland from Mechanic to Working Supervisor in the Town Highway Department effective
th
on or about August 18, 2020 at the rate of pay specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement
between the Town and CSEA for the Working Supervisor position, subject to a ninety (90) day
probationary period and any other applicable Civil Service requirements, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Highway Superintendent and/or Budget Officer to complete any forms and take any action necessary
to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020 by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRAVEL POLICY DURING
COVID-19 PANDEMIC
RESOLUTION NO.: 275, 2020
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 31
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, by Resolution Nos: 123,2020 and 133,2020, the Queensbury Town Board authorized
adoption of its COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan and Revised Plan, and
WHEREAS, as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Town
employees may face travel restrictions consistent with New York State Department of Health regulations for
quarantine, and therefore the Town Board wishes to adopt a Travel Policy to provide all Town employees with
guidance during the COVID-19 Pandemic substantially in the form presented at this meeting,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that as a result of requirements placed on the Town due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the
Queensbury Town Board hereby authorizes and directs implementation of a Travel Policy in substantially the
form presented at this meeting, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor to forward
copies of this Resolution to all Town Department Managers and the Town Supervisor and/or Town Budget
Officer to take such other and further actions necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION APPROVING AUDITS OF BILLS –
WARRANTS: 08142020 AND 08182020
RESOLUTION NO.: 276, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to approve two (2) audits of bills presented
as Warrants: 08142020 and 08182020 with run dates of 08/14/2020 and 08/13/2020 and payment
dates of 08/18/2020,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 32
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby approves the two (2) audits of bills
presented as Warrants: 08142020 and 08182020 with run dates of 08/14/2020 and 08/13/2020 and
payment dates of 08/18/2020 totaling $933,404.64 and $1,286,239.64, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor and/or
Town Budget Officer to take such other and further action as may be necessary to effectuate the terms
of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION SETTING PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED LOCAL
LAW NO. __ OF 2020 TO AMEND QUEENSBURY TOWN CODE
TO ESTABLISH RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS
AND FACILITIES REGULATIONS
RESOLUTION NO.: 277, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, the Queensbury Town Board wishes to consider adoption of Local Law No.:
___ of 2020 to amend its Zoning Law to establish renewable energy systems and facilities regulations,
and
WHEREAS, before the Town Board may amend its Zoning Law, it must hold a public hearing
in accordance with the provisions of Town Law §265, the Municipal Home Rule Law and the Town
of Queensbury Zoning Law, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with General Municipal Law §239-m, the Town must first refer
the proposed Zoning Law amendments and obtain a recommendation from the Warren County
Planning Department before enacting the legislation, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to also refer the proposed Zoning Law amendments and
obtain a recommendation from the Town of Queensbury Planning Board before enacting the
legislation, and
WHEREAS, the Town must also obtain approval of the Adirondack Park Agency for the
proposed Zoning Law amendments prior to adoption, and
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 33
WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury amendments comply with and are in furtherance of
approval standards contained in §807 of the Adirondack Park Agency Act and 9 NYCRR Part 582 of
Agency regulations, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to set a Public Hearing concerning adoption of this Local
Law,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board formally authorizes and directs the Town’s
Director of Planning, Zoning and Code Compliance to forward copies of the proposed Zoning Law
Amendments to the Adirondack Park Agency for its review and approval in accordance with Article
27 of the Executive Law, §807, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Director of Planning,
Zoning and Code Compliance to forward copies of the proposed Zoning Law Amendments to the
Warren County Planning Department and the Town of Queensbury Planning Board for review and
recommendation, and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board shall meet and hold a Public Hearing at the
th
Queensbury Activities Center, 742 Bay Road, Queensbury at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28,
2020 to hear all interested persons concerning proposed Local Law No.: ___ of 2020 which provides
for certain amendments of the Town of Queensbury’s Zoning Law, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to provide
the public with at least 10 days’ prior notice of the Public Hearing by causing a Notice of Public
Hearing to be timely published in the Town’s official newspaper and by posting the Notice of Public
Hearing on the Town’s website and public bulletin board at least 10 days before the date of the Public
Hearing, and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk to send the
Notice of Public Hearing, together with copies of the proposed Local Law if necessary, to any public
officials, agencies, municipalities or individuals, in accordance with New York State Town Law §265
and any other applicable State Laws or Town Code provisions, and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes and directs the Town Clerk and/or Town
Director of Planning, Zoning and Code Compliance to take such other actions and give such other
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 34
notices as may be necessary in preparation for the Public Hearing and for the Town Board to lawfully
adopt proposed Local Law No.: ___ of 2020.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION NO.: 252,2020 AND
AUTHORIZING OUTSOURCING OF MILLING AND/OR PAVING WORK
AND PURCHASE OF RELATED MATERIALS
RESOLUTION NO.: 278, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
WHO MOVED ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHEREAS, by Resolution No.: 252,2020, the Queensbury Town Board approved of the
Town Highway Superintendent’s outsourcing of milling and/or paving work on certain roads within
the Town of Queensbury to Peckham Companies (Peckham), and
WHEREAS, no contract between the Town and Peckham has been entered into regarding this
work, and
WHEREAS, the Town Board wishes to rescind Resolution No.: 252,2020 and authorize the
outsourcing of milling and/or paving work on certain roads within the Town of Queensbury (Project)
as follows:
1) complete milling and traffic control to Rifenberg Construction for the amount of
$53,131.65 per Warren County Bid for Cold Milling of Pavement for Highway
Rehabilitation (#WC-11-19) pricing;
2) complete paving and traffic control to Peckham Companies (Peckham) for the amount of
$108,160 per New York State Office of General Services Group #31502, Award #23148
pricing; and
3) type 6 top course materials and asphalt delivery costs for the amount of $215,224.80 per
Warren County Bid #WC-12-20 pricing;
for a cost of $376,516.45, and
WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent has advised the Town Board that there are times
when Change Orders may become necessary for such Project and has requested that the Town
Board also authorize him to approve and sign certain Change Orders up to a five-percent (5%)
contingency for Change Orders that he deems necessary or appropriate,
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 35
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Queensbury Town Board hereby rescinds Resolution No.: 252,2020,
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby approves of the Town Highway Superintendent’s
outsourcing of milling and/or paving work on certain roads within the Town of Queensbury (Project)
as follows:
1) complete milling and traffic control to Rifenberg Construction for the amount of
$53,131.65 under Warren County Bid for Cold Milling of Pavement for Highway
Rehabilitation (#WC-11-19) pricing;
2) complete paving and traffic control to Peckham Companies (Peckham) for the amount of
$108,160 under New York State Office of General Services Group #31502, Award
#23148 pricing; and
3) type 6 top course materials and asphalt delivery costs for the amount of $215,224.80 per
Warren County Bid #WC-12-20 pricing;
and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby authorizes the Highway Superintendent to
approve and sign Change Orders pertaining to the Project up to a five-percent (5%) contingency
or in the total amount not exceeding $18,826 that he deems necessary or appropriate, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes that this Project in the amount of
$376,516.45, plus a contingency of $18,826, for a total Project cost of $395,342.45, be paid from
Chips Capital Construction, Account No.: 004-5112-2899 and authorizes and directs the Town
Budget Officer to increase revenues in Chips Revenue Account No.: 004-0000-53501 by $46,350,
increase Chips Capital Construction Account No.: 004-5112-2899 by $46,350, amend the 2020
Town Budget, make any adjustments, budget amendments, transfers and/or prepare any
documentation necessary to effectuate payment, and
BE IT FURTHER,
RESOLVED, that the Town Board further authorizes and directs the Town Supervisor,
Town Budget Officer, Highway Superintendent, Town Purchasing Agent and/or Town Clerk to
take any steps necessary to effectuate the terms of this Resolution.
th
Duly adopted this 17 day of August, 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mrs. Magee, Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 36
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
CORRESPONDENCE-
Deputy Town Clerk, Mellon-
Building and Codes Supervisor’s Monthly (July) Report has been received and is on
file in the Town Clerk’s Office.
Petition submitted by Helene Dubin for a crosswalk at the intersection of Assembly
Point Road. The petition will be filed in the Town Clerk’s Office.
5.0 PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR (LIMIT- 4 MINUTES)
HELENE DUBIN- Spoke on and submitted a petition for a crosswalk to be installed on
Assembly Point Road.
JENNIFER & JAMES DOBKOWKSI- Spoke regarding issues with short-term rentals.
6.0 TOWN BOARD DISCUSSIONS
COUNCILMAN METIVIER (WARD I)-
Complimented Councilwoman Magee on her responsiveness and intelligence. She
is a great addition to a great team.
Great job to Highway Superintendent, Dave Duell and his crew.
Spoke regarding dislike of crosswalks.
COUNCILMAN FREER (WARD II)- Enjoyed the “Million Reasons” rally at Crandall
Park last Saturday. There were some excellent speakers.
COUNCILMAN FERONE (WARD III)- Nothing to report.
COUNCILWOMAN MAGEE (WARD IV)-
Also attended the “Million Reasons” even last Saturday. It was very nice.
Spoke regarding Trump Rally on Lake George last weekend. It was not a tranquil
event. There were a lot of boats and they were going so fast they created six-foot
swells. She was deeply disappointed in people’s disregard for others safety.
SUPERVISOR STROUGH-
Spoke regarding the Town’s recent audit. It was very good.
Spoke regarding an article in the Albany Business Review on Angio Dynamics.
As the winter season approaches, the Highway Department wants to remind
everyone that obstacles in the Town’s right-of-way (10 feet from edge of road)
can be dangerous so please keep clear.
Received a letter from a constituent complimenting the Highway Department on
their work on Montray Road.
Spoke regarding the Town’s safety record.
Thanked all who attended meeting.
Thanked Looked TV and our sponsors for televising these meetings.
RESOLUTION ADJOURNING REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING
RESOLUTION NO.: 279, 2020
INTRODUCED BY: Mr. George Ferone
WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION
SECONDED BY: Mrs. Amanda Magee
REGULAR TOWN BOARD MEETING, 08-17-2020, MTG #26 37
RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its
Regular Town Board Meeting.
Duly adopted this 17th day of August 2020, by the following vote:
AYES: Mr. Strough, Mr. Metivier, Mr. Freer, Mr. Ferone, Mrs. Magee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
CAROLINE H. BARBER
TOWN CLERK
TOWN OF QUEENSBURY
MINUTES PREPARED BY ROSE MELLON, DEPUTY TOWN CLERK I