Loading...
2010-06-14 SP MTG.#22 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-14-2010 MTG #22 915 SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING MTG. #22 JUNE 14, 2010 RES. 230 7:00 PM TOWN BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT SUPERVISOR DANIEL STEC COUNCILMAN ANTHONY METIVIER COUNCILMAN RONALD MONTESI- Absent COUNCILMAN JOHN STROUGH COUNCILMAN TIM BREWER TOWN COUNSEL ROBERT HAFNER PRESS POST STAR DUNHAM’S BAY LODGE Town Board discussed with Attorney, Michael O’Connor the use of portable toilets for outdoor functions at the Dunham’s Bay Lodge. This will be considered on a temporary basis, for up to ninety days, while the owner establishes a comprehensive wastewater plan. DISCUSSION: SOLID WASTE COLLECTION DISTRICT SUPERVISOR STEC- We’re looking at the possibility of establishing a municipal trash collection district. I sent an email to Board Members with information pertaining to this. The Town also received information back in 2005 on residential refuse collection from the Local State Comptroller’s Office which was placed in each Board Member mailboxes. Previous research estimated that a residential solid waste collection district would save residents collectively just under a million dollars. In this economy and in this climate if we can use our collective buying power in a way that we can all live with to get people a good deal on garbage collection. Another benefit would be one truck going through the neighborhood once a week instead of a truck a day two or three times a week, resulting in less wear and tear on the road. This will also work out better in the winter time with snow plowing. Instead of dodging garbage cans several times a week it will be only one day a week. Obviously the big thing is the potential savings. The reason why we didn’t jump on this last time was there was concerns among some Board Members, maybe even most Board members if we get into this business of putting it out to bid that we could squeeze out some of the other big players in the area. COUNCILMAN BREWER- How do we prevent a vendor from going into a neighborhood? ATTORNEY HAFNER- When this was considered four and six years ago the discussion was that either people were going to go with the one that won the bid from the Town or they would opt out. If you opted out you would have to take your garbage to one of the two town transfer stations. Those were the only two choices that was talked about. COUNCILMAN BREWER- If I opt out what’s to stop me from hiring a different vendor. Can we prevent that? ATTORNEY HAFNER- You can. You’d make it illegal. The Town Board makes policy. When you’re doing this the idea is to make money for the residents and the way that you are most likely to be able to get the best price is if someone knows that they are going to get the majority of the residents. You can have an option to get it yourself but then you’re not providing all of the benefits that were expected. SUPERVISOR STEC- Like limiting how many times a truck drives through a neighborhood. There will be residents that are not interested SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-14-2010 MTG #22 916 ATTORNEY HAFNER- You have the right to tell people that they have to hook up to your sewer line. The Town will be responsible for arranging for that service. You might decide that you want people maintain the right to keep whatever relationships they have. That’s totally up to the Town Board and that’s part of the purpose tonight to get input. SUPERVISOR STEC- Legally if we wanted to we could say it’s not exclusive, if you want go and hire someone else you can but we’ll lose two things, savings and the benefits of having fewer trucks driving through the neighborhood. ATTORNEY HAFNER- Some people would argue this is more efficient. It is totally up to the Town how they want to structure it. COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Concerned about the little guy being put out of business SUPERVISOR STEC- We are only talking about residential here. The question is whether to make this exclusive or not. COUNCILMAN METIVIER- Take this a step further and say that we are doing this district just like we have a sewer district and if you don’t want to participate but you still have to pay. Can you do that? ATTORNEY HAFNER- Yes. There’s different ways that we could do it. We specifically, when we looked at it in 2004 and 2006, we had input from the Town Board and that was the method that met the desires. There are other methods. For instance the Town could take it over and do it as a general tax and include in the ad valorum. SUPERVISOR STEC- We don’t want to get into the business of hiring our own sanitary workers and buy our own vehicles. After further discussion it was the decision of the Board to have Attorney Hafner gather more information so that they can begin speaking with trash haulers. One way to go would be to create a district to cover a portion of the Town as sort of a trial. If all goes well they could later expand town wide. OTHER DISCUSSIONS HELD COUNCILMAN BREWER- Spoke regarding complaints he received from constituents concerning un-kept lawns and debris on private property. We do have a law regarding exterior property areas being maintained free of weeds and or plants in growth in excess of ten inches. Concerned that the time span in which the Town can take action is too long and would like to see that shortened. He would also like to see stiffer penalties for these property owners. Ask Attorney Hafner to look into this further. COUNCILMAN STROUGH- Spoke regarding the Town exploring the option of banning the use of certain types of lawn fertilizers. The Town of Lake George has recently adopted a law to this effect. COUNCILMAN METIVIER- It’s important to educate residents regarding the importance of using only phosphorus-free fertilizers ATTORNEY HAFNER- Will be in contact with Lake George to get a copy of the law that they recently enacted. COUNCILMAN STROUGH- Spoke regarding the Lakes to Locks Program and promoting Queensbury. There was discussion about placing Kiosks on Main Street, Hovey Pond, the Million Dollar Half Mile as well as the Great Escape. Will be in contact with the gentleman that is working on this to schedule a meeting to discuss this further. SUPERVISOR STEC- The next workshop will cover topics on the zoning code, as well as highway projects. SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING 06-14-2010 MTG #22 917 RESOLUTION ADJOURNING SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING RESOLUTION NO. 230, 2010 INTRODUCED BY: Mr. Daniel Stec WHO MOVED FOR ITS ADOPTION SECONDED BY: Mr. Tim Brewer RESOLVED, that the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury hereby adjourns its Special Town Board Meeting. th Duly adopted this 14 day of June, 2010 by the following vote: AYES: Mr. Metivier, Mr. Strough, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Stec NOES: None ABSENT: Mr. Montesi Respectfully submitted, Miss Darleen M. Dougher Town Clerk-Queensbury