Loading...
1985-11-07 SP TOWN BOARD MEETING-SPECIAL NOVEMBER 7, 1985 7:30 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Mrs. Frances Walter-Supervisor \ Mr. Daniel Olson-Councilman Dr. Charles Eisenhart-Councilman Mr. Daniel Morrell-Councilman Mrs. Betty Monahan-Councilman ABSENT: Mr. Wilson Mathias-Town Counsel PRESS: G.F. Post Star �- GUESTS: Representatives of the Crandall Library, Mr. Anthony Palangi, Mr. George Kurosaka TOWN OFFICIALS: Mr. Paul Naylor, Mr. Peter Brault Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Eisenhart PUBLIC HEARING 1986 Town Budget Notice Shown 7:34 P.M. SUPERVISOR WALTER-The appropriations for the General Funds $5,119,335. revenues in that category $4,600,455. in the special districts we have a total appropriation of $1,937,229. and revenues of $924,180. in both of those categories you see that the revenues do not equal the appropriation and therefore there is an amount to be raised by taxes. That amount can be adjusted by applying a fund balance which will be determined by the middle of December, to help alleviate the tax burden on the people. In the budget we have looked at a new maintenance position in the recreation dept. because of the expansion of recreation facilities, we are looking for a full time position in the Building & Zoning Dept. because of the growth in the Town of Queensbury and we are looking for a full time position in the assessment dept. We also have a line for Town Historian with a small budget and this is not a new position but one that has not been filled for the past eight or nine years. We are increasing our building and grounds budget because of a lighting project at the town office and we are providing for maintenance for off premises signs around the Town. Our highway budget has increased by seven percent, that is a modest increase considering that the Town is adding to its road inventory all the time. I have noted before that, in our insurance premiums, we will have some kind of specific word in mid November, we are looking at least double and perhaps more than that. We have projected our sales tax at two million dollars, that is based on the fact that it has been going up substantially for the past two years I would assume that with the economy the way it is, it would be equal to what we have received this year. I have looked at our mortgage tax which has doubled, that is again due to the building boom. Asked for Public Input. . . MR. RICHARD HOPKINS-Representative from Crandall Library-Lynnfield Drive-Requested that each municipality, Glens Falls, Moreau and Queensbury raise its donation to $6.00 per capita which is half the most recent statewide average. . .there are a few things we would like to do with the extra money, keep Sunday hours 1 to 5 P.M. , we have spent the same dollar amount every ` - year but each year the number of books that can be purchased is reduced due to cost of books we would like to increase the budget by $15,000 to buy more books. . .put in audio visual aids and equipment $12,000 . . . deferred maintenance that needs to be taken care of, we are also under an edict that we have to automate all the records, we are trying to put aside a reserve for that $5,000. . .We are asking for a total from the Town of Queensbury of $113,868. COUNCILMAN OLSON-Regarding Sunday opening, $16,000. ? MR. RICHARD HOPKINS-That is a total for lights, heat, salaries, insurance. . . that would be from September to June. . . COUNCILMAN OLSON-Are there other hours that you might shave off from? MS. MCDONALD-I have looked at the hours and they have been that way for thirty-forty years and we would like to keep them that way. . .the only thing we can do if we do not get our request is reduce the number of Sundays. . .We are required to be open 55 hours a week and we are open 64 hours. . . MR. MIKE GINSBURG-The key issue is how to maintain our institution, our collection at a level of excellence. . .we are talking about $6.00 per capita. . . Ms. ANN (UNKNOWN)-Town of Moreau-We would like to make this a three community effort, each community contributing the same amount per capita, G.F. has given us practically the dollars per capita, the Town of Moreau is reconsidering its amount we would like the Town of Queensbury to join in. COUNCILMAN MORRELL-There was a building on South Street referred to as the Crandall Block, the revenues from the rent were to be turned over to the Library, questioned if that was still happening? MR. HOPKINS-Reviewed the history of the Crandall Trust—the Crandall Trust has divested itself of all real property except Crandall Library—the Crandall Library is the sole beneficiary of the Crandall Trust. . . COUNCILMAN EISENHART-We have a budget figure of 29%increase, I think that, this is enough in my opinion. I think that 29% over last year is a good solid increase over what we have been doing, we have to have some responsibility to the taxpayers of the area, I am not willing to go any farther. MR. GINSBURG-. . .We re trying hard to play catch up from a very bad position in a time of non-inflation. . .we are asking for 40% of the average municipal support for libraries, this is a very rich town right now. . . MS. SUE MORRIS-Resident of Glens Falls-I think it is time for the Town of Queensbury to start paying its own way, I feel that you are expecting other communities to subsidize you, Queensbury happens to be the wealthiest and fastest growing community around here. I do not think you are doing y your moral duty. SUPERVISOR WALTER-I think that what we have heard here is the lack of good management, that the library is now coming back and we are being told that we are not meeting our moral responsibilities, I do not think that is fair. A 29% increase, double digit over 1983, we have been generous, we have to serve a lot of other accounts. . . COUNCILMAN OLSON-I do not think it is fair for people of other communities to compare their communities with us. . . MS. JEAN DAVIS-Crandall Library-Glens Falls Resident-We are grateful to the Board for the services that they have given Crandall Library. . .we would like to expand services. . .we need your support. . .we would like it raised to $6.00 per capita. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Recommended that the Board review the Library Budget at a workshop session. . . MR. FRED FISHER-Hyde Museum-We as the library provide a quality of life for our region and not just our community, I would hope that the Town "J recognizes what the Hyde Collection does for your community. Our goal is to enlarge upon the visibility of our institution to bring people to this region that is one of the most important things that we can do. Reviewed the basic programs offered by the Hyde. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Thanked Mr. Fisher for the work that you have been doing, which is more visible than it used to be. . .the children have been very well received there. SUPERVISOR WALTER-Asked for public comments. . .noted that budgets were available in the Town Clerk's Office. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Page 12 of the Preliminary Budget, I would like to put in an item for evaluation and testing of the landfill for $20,000 it is a possibility that we might get some of this for free. I think it is time that this problem is addressed and we start providing for it. SUPERVISOR WALTER-I want to correct your grammar, do you know that there is a problem? I think you are looking at a situation rather than a problem,I think it is important that we clarify the reasoning, that there is no known problem there, you are interested in doing further testing as far as the town is concerned for our records. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I am really asking for a evaluation of what is in there, an evaluation of whether we should be doing any further testing. I want to clarify the situation that we have at the landfill. COUNCILMAN OLSON-The landfill wells are tested by Environment One. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-But the thing is that those tests were set up by the State several years ago, the state has never taken any further position in the light of new technology, in the light of new chemicals in the market place and the light of things that are being done in other industries that you have to declare what you have on site. You have to report to the fire companies, your common carriers have to declare what they have on board. I think we have to get into 1985 and start doing more evaluation. I think we must be a leader, we are concerned, while we may find nothing more than we have to test for, but at least we are going to know.. . COUNCILMAN OLSON-Are you suggesting more wells? COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-No, I am suggesting that we have an outside firm who has an expertise in this type of operation come in an evaluate what is there and whether they think we need further test wells, whether or not they think we need different types of testing, in otherwords none of us have any experise in this field. This is an area that is over the national average in cancer and in heart, I feel not only just for those reasons but when people are concerned whether they can open their taps _ and whether or not the water they put in their mouths is safe for them to do so, perhaps to do our jobs to alay those fears, I feel we are not doing our job. COUNCILMAN EISENHART-I am opposed, because through the years we have had impacts from the State at various times, I do not know what they will come up with next year. . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-In the form of a motion, I would like to add $20,000 to the landfill budget as a line item for evaluation and testing by a firm that has expertise in this field. (under .440) Seconded by Councilman Morrell. . . DISCUSSION HELD ON MOTION COUNCILMAN OLSON-Are you asking that the monies be in a fund if it is needed? COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-At least the evaluation, we may get this free, I think E it is time that we expend the money and find out what the situation is r there. I SUPERVISOR WALTER-I would add, I would prefer to see what it would cost to get further information, to find out through a scope of services what the cost would be, I say that, because an additional dollars will be raised by taxes. . .they will be shared by the City of Glens Falls, the — city thorugh its mayor has looked the budget over (joint landfill budget) and has given its approval based upon a fact that we are looking to raise i less money than last year. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-We talk about the share of the City of Glens Falls, but what about the people with the inconvenience on Ridge Road, we have our land that is being used, we have our people who's health may be on the line and we are worrying that it might cost Glens Falls a few more dollars? SUPERVISOR WALTER-I am not worried, I am saying that we should have them take a look at any changes that we make in the budget. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-My point in putting this in now, is to make sure that it is done. I want some guarantee from this Town Board that this situation is going to go forward. SUPERVISOR WALTER-$20,000 would be for someone to look at the landfill to do a study of it and construction of any wells would be in addition to that. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-How do you want to handle this so it is done in 1986 not 1987. The problem is that we have not faced our responsibility for that landfill. --� SUPERVISOR WALTER- I disagree wholeheartedly. . .We were the only permitted landfill in the whole territory, leads me to believe that we have met the testing and found that there is nothing wrong, with the testing that has been done on a quarterly basis. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-We are no longer a permitted landfill. . . SUPERVISOR WALTER-Because no landfills are permitted. The Town landfill does not accept hazardous materials, and the Landfill Supt. when he is asked to take materials that are not familiar to him, checks with ENCON to find out what is going in and at times has turned materials away from the Landfill. . . I think that we are not going to adopt the budget this evening, that between now and the time we adopt it, we should look into what it will cost and only add those dollars in if this Board sees fit to add any dollars. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I think we should get a firm with the expertise to come in here and look the whole situation over, are we posting it correctly, are we doing a lot of things correctly, are we testing for the right things, are we testing where we should be testing? COUNCILMAN OLSON-This would be in addition to ENCON? COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-Absolutely. COUNCILMAN OLSON-Asked if Mrs. Monahan could get some figures together before the Budget is adopted. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I can try. . .this is something the landfill committee should have been doing. What we need is the history of the landfill as much as we can get. COUNCILMAN EISENHART-I move that the matter be tabled for further information.seconded by Mrs. Frances Walter-no vote taken. . . COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I will withdraw my original motion and rephrase it this way, when the budget comes in front of us for adoption, there will be a line item in this budget for evaluation and testing at the landfill. COUNCILMAN MORRELL-I will withdraw my second from the previous motion. . . SUPERVISOR WALTER- I wished that you would have come forward instead of just a figure, you would have indicated the scope of services as to what you would like to have done. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-I have indicated it in private conversations several times in the past. . . RESOLUTION TO AMEND PRELIMINARY BUDGET RESOLUTION NO. 243, Introduced by Mrs. Betty Monahan who moved for its adoption, seconded by Mr. Daniel Olson: RESOLVED, that there will be line item or an addition to the contractual line for money for evaluation of the landfill and further testing if required after an evaluation is done before the adoption of the 1986 .59 Budget. The following vote was taken: Ayes: Mr. Olson, Mrs. Monahan Noes: Dr. Eisenhart, Mr. Morrell, Mrs. Walter Absent: None MOTION DEFEATED MR. ANTHONY PALANGI-I would like to suggest that Town Water be extended to the landfill area . . . SUPERVISOR WALTER-Reviewed the procedure of extending Town Water. . .they cannot afford it and the State Comptroller would never approve what it would cost. . .what we have to do is to keep extending the water, so it is closer and closer. . . COUNCILMAN OLSON-I have spoken to the Board about a capital fund for South Queensbury under A9955.9 increasing the preliminary to a total of $30,000. . . .$10,000 would not complete the project but would be a start. . .neighborhood park. . . COUNCILMAN EISENHART-I do not like to earmark those funds, we do not know what will come up next year. . .we could put the capital in and use it as needed. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN-We should make this known to the public that the South Queensbury Recreation Area is not just for the youth but for all ages. . . RESOLUTION TO AMEND PRELIMINARY BUDGET RESOLUTION NO.' 244, Introduced by Mr. Daniel Olson who moved for its adoption, seconded by Mrs. Betty Monahan: RESOLVED, that A9955.9 Capital Project Youth Programs be increase by $10,000 to be earmarked for South Queensbury Recreation Area, total for A9955.9 to be listed as $30,000. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Olson, Dr. Eisenhart, Mr. Morrell, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter Noes: None Absent:None COUNCILMAN ELECT KUROSAKA-I am in favor of earmarking $10,000 for South Queensbury Recreation Area. . . COUNCILMAN ELECT MONTESI-I am also in favor of that. . . SUPERVISOR WALTER-There will be a special Town Board Meeting at 7:30 P.M. on November 19th 1985. . . .adopt Town Board Budget.. . F The following changes are to be noted in the Preliminary Budget. . . A1010.100 - $19,600. A1220.100 - $78,925. A1440.440 - $45,000. A1620.445 - $ 3,500. A7520.440 - $ 3,000. A71�'0.440 - $ 2,500. A9955.9 - $30,000. A3005 -$150,000. COUNCILMAN MONAHAN- What is the landfill split between Qsby. and G.F. SUPERVISOR WALTER- 52/48 . . .in the 1985 budget revenues you see a big Do difference because the $25,000. that they pay to us because they are there, has no relationship to the contract. . . Asked for further input, hearing none the Public Hearing on the 1986 Budget is Closed. 9:06 P.M. PUBLIC HEARING 9:06 P.M. FRS Funds Notice Shown SUPERVISOR WALTER-As the Budget Officer I have decreased FRS based on approximately 3/4 of what we will receive this year. That reasoning is that FRS there is no where that appears in legislation at this point and that the Federal Budget ends on September 30th of 1986, unless there is a change of heart with Congress we will see no more revenue sharing funds, for 1987. We have looked at building equipment for $20,000 mostly for additional computer outlets in the various dept. (Town Clerk's Office, Highway Supt. Office and one other office that we will designate next year) the other dollars would go to Highway Repair $86,100. the third area where FRS appear, would be in drainage $30,000. Asked for public input. . .hearing none the public hearing was closed. . .9:10 P.M. RESOLUTION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT RESOLUTION NO. 245, Introduced by Mr. Daniel Morrell who moved for its adoption, seconded by Mr. Daniel Olson: WHEREAS, the Town of Queensbury wishes to enter into an agreement with the Greater Glens Falls Transit System under the sponsorship of the City of Glens Falls to allow the City of Glens Falls to provide and erect bus stop shelters along the transit system bus routes upon property owned by the Town of Queensbury, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Supervisor is hereby authorized to enter into such agreement with the City of Glens Falls, copy of such agreement attached. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Olson, Dr. Eisenhart, Mr. Morrell, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter Noes: None Absent:None (Copy of agreement on file in Town Clerk's Office) DISCUSSION-Held before vote:Councilman Monahan-I see that the City is responsible for this but our Highway Dept. has done the work. . .Supervisor we will bill the City of Glens Falls for the work that we did. . .add to the contract the following (E. The City shall reimburse the Town for any of the activities heretofore agreed to by the City that the Town performs. )Councilman Morrell-questioned the use of the shelters for signs. . . Supervisor Walter-they will have to conform to our sign ordinance. . . RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUPERVISOR TO EXECUTE TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT AND ADDENDUM TO TRANSPORTATION AGREEMENT-GREATER GLENS FALLS TRANSIT RESOLUTION NO. 246, Introduced by Dr. Charles Eisenhart who moved for its adoption, seconded by Mr. Daniel Morrell: WHEREAS, the City of Glens Falls has recently submitted to the Town Board of the Town of Queensbury, for its consideration, a Transportation Agreement which provides for the delivery of regular, public service transportation to, through, and among the corporate limits and locations of the Town of Queensbury, City of Glens Falls and five adjacent municipalities, and WHEREAS, the Transportation Agreement is for a period commencing on May 1, 1985 and shall end on December 31, 1986 and provides for the initial payment by the Town of Queensbury of $14,142. towards anticipated operation and maintenance general expenses for the period May 1, 1985 through December 31, 1986, as set forth in the attached APPENDIX A. The Town of Queensbury 2 61 shall thereafter pay to the City its proportionate share of the local budget in an amount not exceeding amount stated as per Article IV of the contract addendum. WHEREAS, the Town has negotiated an Addendum to the said Transportation Agreement further clarifying and specifying the town's rights and obligations under the said Transportation Agreement, which addendum provides for the creation of a City-Queensbury Transportion Committee, the specific limitation on Town of Queensbury further expenditures under the said Transportation Agreement, and the provision of a financial statement by the City of the Town of Queensbury on a semi-annual basis, the limitation on Queensbury expenditures, and WHEREAS, the Transportation Agreement as amended establishes public service transportation through the Town of Queensbury and which public service transportation will be beneficial to the people of the Town of Queensbury, now, therefore be it RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Queensbury is hereby authorized to execute the aforesaid Transportation Agreements and addendum to Transportation Agreement. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Olson, Dr. Eisenhart, Mr. Morrell, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter Noes: None Absent:None (Appendix A on file in Town Clerk's Office. ) -Ltr. Building Inspector-Mack Dean-request permission to attend Building Codes School RESOLUTION TO ATTEND SCHOOL RESOLUTION NO. 247, Introduced by Dr. Charles Eisenhart who moved for its adoption, seconded by Mrs. Betty Monahan: RESOLVED, that permission is hereby granted to the Building Inspector Mr. Mack Dean to attend the State of N.Y. Dept. of State Codes School at the Town of Bethlehem on November 12, 1985 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.and be it further RESOLVED, that the Town Board authoirzes all reasonable and necessary expenses. Duly adopted by the following vote: Ayes: Mr. Olson, Dr. Eisenhart, Mr. Morrell, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Walter Noes: None Absent:None OPEN FORUM 9:20 P.M. Mr. Paul Naylor-Noted that the Town has four new roads to look at. . . Town Clerk-Donald Chase: Reviewed the roads as follows: No deeds on file. . . VanCourt and Pinion Pine Lane-Ltr. from Mr. Naylor and Town Counsel no mileage report. . .no report from Water Dept. Pincroft Drive-Stonehurst Dr. and Thistlewood Drive--Ltr. from Counsel, Water Dept. and Highway and no mileage report On motion the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Donald A. Chase Town Clerk