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1971-05-06 SP Special Meeting May 6, 1971 Present: Gerald B. Solomon Supervisor Lloyd Demboski a Councilman John D. Austin Jr. Councilman Harold Robillardl Councilman Hammond Robertson Jr. Councilman Attorney Harold Katz was present. The meeting was opened by- Supervisor Solomon greeting the following visitors: Theodore Turner John Dunlavey Harwood Beaty Bob & Jo Ann Jones Mildred & Fred Pepin Mary Lou Quinn Grace & Robert Hillis David Emmel James Robison Edward Waters William Roach F. W. Grindrod Mr. & Mrs. Merwin Mayne Thomas J. Murphy Charles Tissinger Jr. John L. Bowman Charles Tissinger Sr. Paul J. Bishop Frank J. Dwyer Frank Walter Jr. B. K. Clifford Jan & Hal Norman Bill Andrews Philip A. Buttling B.S. Burns Robert Pollock Michael O'Connor Richard Johnson Robert Hickin The Public Hearing on the Queensbury Sewer District was begun at 8:07 P.M. Supervisor Solomon explained the agenda of the hearing. Proof of publication was shown by the clerk. Notice of hearing was read by the clerk. Supervisor Solomon introduced Bill Leary of Environmental Facilities Corporation and Ray Irish of Rist-Frost Associates. Super- visor Solomon explained why Queensbury needs sewerage. The meeting was turned over to Ray Irish of Rist-Frost Associates, the consulting engineers on the sewerage project. He outlined the Queensbury sewage district. It encompasses nearly all of the town with the exception of those lands north of Farm to Market Road and south of Sherman Avenue. The district was set up to include all existing "trouble spots" and potential problem areas in the terms of pollution. He said several schemes were considered and that this one seemed the most economical. The intermunicipal- sewerage project now envisioned includes the munici- palities and major industries of the City of Glens Falls, Village of Fort Edward, Village of Hudson Falls, Village of South Glens Falls, Town of Queensbury, Hercules Inc. and Chase Bag Company. He explained that unlike the other communities, Queensbury has no major public sewer- age system which was the main reason why the cost is so high. He said Queensbury is one of the fastest growing communities and is spread out over a large 66 square mile area. He said sewage is needed to protect the watersheds and public sewerage would greatly increase the possibili- ty of developing the commercial and industrial zones in the town. The continuation of residential growth alone would create a tax burden on the homeowner. He advised that Federal and State grants in aid present- ly available may not be available in future years. The present New York State grant funding will expire by March 1972. He said the spiralling costs of construction is figured at 1% per month and the longer we wait the more expensive the project becomes. He advised that financing will --� be bonded indebtedness over a 40 year period. The town' s first year installment will be $983,000 with Hercules Inc. paying $350,000 of that sum. He explained that level debting is more desirable than conventional financing in the case of a rapidly growing community such as Queensbury because the costs are lower in the beginning when there are fewer to carry the burden and higher in later years when more taxpayers are avail- able to pay the costs. The total cost of the Queensbury sewage project L aH�1 is $20.4 million with anticipated State and Federal aid of $9.7 million which leaves- $10.7 million to be paid by the Town of Queensbury. In order to obtain the 30% State and 30% Federal aid the facilities must be established as intercepting sewers and not merely laterals or sewer mains. There is a possibility of obtaining additional-aid which Queens- bury will apply for but there is no guarantee that Queensbury will re- ceive it so it has not been included in these figures. Sewerage in the area to be initially served will be completed by late 1975 or early 1976. Residents within the district and initially served will be assessed an ad valorem tax of about $24.00 per thousand of assessed valuation plus a unit charge of $35.00 and an operation-maintenance charge of $32.00. Residents in the remainder of the district will pay an ad valorem tax of $3.05 per thousand of assessed valuation. Residents -outside the sewage district will not be required to pay a tax for sewage. The meeting was opened to the public at 10:10 P.M. Mr. James Robison asked about the treatment plant. Mr. William Van Riper of Metcalf & Eddy, engineers, said the treatment plant under design meets all state re- quirements as they now stand but he said there was no guarantee state standards would not be raised in later years. Harwood Beaty questioned the route of the sewage system and was told that this system was the most economical. The same answer was given to James Carlaw who question- ed the route. Fred Austin questioned the provision which would see inter- municipal mains in the town becoming the property of the Environmental Facilities Corporation at the end of the period of bonded indebtedness and Mr. Solomon told him that he had dissented when that arrangement was worked out by the intermunicipal committee. However, he added, the mains will be approaching obsolescence as to design flow at the end of the 40 years and acquiescence to the plan .by the town .permitted level debting to be used to finance part of the project and level .debting was more de- sirable to Queensbury than conventional financing. William Andrews asked why the sewer tax was being based on assessed valuation and Mr. Solomon explained that we are building interceptor lines and mains through un- developed areas and if we charged on a frontage foot basis the man who owns a cow pasture could no where near afford it. Glens Falls Mayor Robert J. Cronin spoke briefly noting that he was very happy to see the project nearing fruition but questioned how much the City of Glens Falls would be paying in sewer taxes for its reservoir property within the town. He wanted assurance the City would have to pay no more than the $3.05 per thousand on $57,000, the assessed valuation of Halfway Brook pumping station and accoutrements and would not be taxed for improvements such as new mains due for installation. Town Attorney Harold Katz said as far as he knew the City was not taxed for its mains but said he would check further and give him a firm answer. Richard Johnson asked what alternative the Town had if it did not go the intermunicipal route. Mr. Solomon said it could turn out to be a disaster for the Town of Queens- bury. He explained that construction costs are currently mounting about one per cent a month and in the absence of intermunicipal cooperation, the town would likely be ineligible for any state and federal aid. Dr. Lester Huested spoke in favor of the program and said to live in a good town costs money. He said we're faced with something that inevitable. You don't circumvent sewage. He commended the Town Board for arranging a lucid, clear, excellent presentation. Mr. Katz explained about a per- missive referendum on the project. Mr. Solomon explained that action on the proposal may take place at next week' s meeting. The meeting was closed to the public. The application of Marshall Harris to locate a Mobile Home on Old Cronin Road was tabled until next meeting. The application of Jose Gonzalez to locate a Mobile Home on the north side of Sherman Avenue was tabled until next meeting. 1410 The application of Margaret Merendino to locate a Mobile Home on 9 Ryan Avenue, Glens Falls was tabled until next meeting. The Activity Report from the Water Department for April 1971 was placed on file. The Town Clerk' s Report for the month of April was placed on file. The Building & Construction Report for the month of April was placed on file. RESOLUTION REGARDING PUBLIC OFFICIAL BOND RESOLUTION No. 101, introduced by Mr. Austin, who moved its adoption, seconded -by Mr. Robillard. RESOLVED, that the -bond -of the following town officer of the Town of Queensbury, is hereby approved as to form, amount, sufficiency of surety and manner of execution, as follows: Number Surety Principal Amount 183 83 02 Glens Falls Insurance Co. Jay David Morey $4,000.00 and be it further RESOLVED, that the members of the Town Board sign a certificate to that effect upon the public official bond described. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Demboski, Mr. Austin, Mr. Robillard, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Solomon. Noes: None RESOLUTION No. 102, introduced by Mr. Austin, who moved its adoption, seconded by Mr. Robertson. RESOLVED, that the State Traffic Commission, pursuant to Section y 1622.2 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law is hereby requested to,. establish an area speed restriction on West Mountain Road between Corinth Road and Gurney Lane of 40 MPH and Country Club Road between Quaker Road to Blind Rock Road, Glens Falls, New York of 35 MPH. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Demboski, Mr. Austin, Mr. Robillard, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Solomon. Noes: None On Motion the meeting was adjorned. Respectfully submitted, Donald A. Chase Town Clerk