Town of Charlton

 

Town of Charlton

Town Board Meeting

 

January 9, 2006

7:30 pm

 

 

The Regular Meeting of the Town Board of Charlton, Saratoga County, New York held at 7:30pm at the Charlton Town Hall, called to order by Supervisor, Alan Grattidge.

 

Present:  Councilman Gardner, Councilman Lippiello, Councilman Salisbury, Councilman Verola, Supervisor Grattidge and Attorney, Robert VanVranken.

 

A motion made by Councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Lippiello to accept the meeting minutes of the Town Board held on December 12, 2005 with the following corrections:

 

Mr. VanVranken Esq.:  Page 6, the following sentence should read:  We are saying we are granting the water district extension pursuant to court order but we are doing it conditioned upon the resolution of about 17 or 18 different items.

 

Mr. VanVranken Esq.:  Page 6, the following sentence should read:  They have currently refused to sit down with us and discuss these items.

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Abstain, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Abstain, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

A motion made by Councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Lippiello to accept the meeting minutes of the Public Hearing, held on December 12, 2005 with the following corrections.

 

Supervisor Grattidge: Page 1, the following sentence should read state Mark Chotkowski – 1119 Peaceable Street – At this time I am installing at a customers house a coal fired outdoor boiler.

 

Supervisor, Grattidge:  Research from our Environmental Commission found that stack height was very important in relation to other buildings because of the down-draft effect that you get.

 

Roll Call Vote: Councilman Gardner: Abstain, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Abstain, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello seconded by Councilman Verola to accept the meeting minutes of the Public Hearing held on December 27, 2005 with the following corrections.

 

Supervisor Grattidge:  Would like all four letters in complete form in the minutes of the Public Hearing on December 27, 2005. 

 

Roll Call Vote: Councilman Gardner: Abstain, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Abstain, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello seconded by Councilman Verola to accept the meeting minutes of the Agenda meeting held on December 27, 2005.

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Abstain, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Abstain, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

A motion made by Councilman Gardner seconded by Councilman Verola to accept the meeting minutes of the Organizational Resolution Meeting held on January 2, 2006.

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

 

ABSTRACT OF CLAIMS

 

The Town Board audited the vouchers #1001-#1016 totaling $3552.45.

 

A motion made by councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Gardner to except the abstract. 

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

 

TOWN CLERK REPORT

 

Town Clerk Heather Scribner read the Town Clerks report.  She reported taking in $223.58 for the month of December $168.71 was disbursed to the supervisor.

 

A motion made by councilman Verola seconded by Councilman Gardner to accept the Town Clerks report as read.

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye

 

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

December expenditures and revenue:

 

General Fund

            Revenue of $116,563.83            Expenditures of $120,287.88

Highway

            Revenue of $15,236.04            Expenditures of $67638.89

Water District 1

            Revenue of $8317.30             Expenditures of $144,815.99

Water District 2

            Revenue of $0                      Expenditures of $375.93

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated there are many different ways web site activity is measured.  Mr. Acunto used home page viewing; there were 658 Views of the home page.  There were 13,542 Hits on the web site

 

Mr. Kelley the Web Master explains the differences, every element on a page, like images, would count as a separate hit whereas if you have a page of plain text it would be one hit which will equal the page.  Hits are an inflated number.  Page usage is the more accurate number.  There were 10,329-page uses of the site.  Mr. Acunto was using the home page, which is much lower.  “The activity on the web site as a whole is pretty good”. Mr. Kelley further added if you go directly into a page you would not count home page usage. Page usage counts all activity.  Page usage is what most people judge their web site activity.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

The Town Board will conduct an annual audit on January 23, 2006 starting at 6:30pm. The audit will consist of the following departments; Tax Collector, Bookkeeper, Justices, Town Clerk and Zoning Administrator.  Mr. Grattidge said a report would follow at the February meeting.

 

The Town Board invited Richard Moon, Building inspector to give an update on Outdoor Furnaces.  Mr. Moon said he reviewed where we are in accordance to building codes.  Mr. Moon read a past memo from Title 19 part 444 requirements of administration of Code Enforcement that goes back to effective date November 1, 1989. He said he is sure it goes back to 1983 but could not find the print at this time.  Under 444.3 B Requirements for Permits, covering the installation or extension of electrical systems which would fall under the wood burning boilers also, section 444.3 B2 5 the installation of a solid fuel burning heating appliance with a chimney and flue.  Mr. Moon said it goes back to November 1, 1989 that you would need a permit for any installation on any wood burning or solid fuel-burning device.

 

Mr. Moon read the following Bulletin from the Department of State.  This document is to clarify what extent out door wood boilers for heating buildings are regulated by the uniform fire prevention and Building Code.

 

The outdoor wood boiler is an appliance and is accessory to the building being heated on the same piece of property.  As an outdoor appliance both the Residential Code of NYS (RCNYS) section M1401.4 and the Mechanical Code of the Mechanical Code of the New York State (MCNYS) section 303.6 require the boiler to be listed and labeled for outdoor installation and installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s installation instructions.  The penetration of the building wall by the pipes supplying the heated water to the building needs to be inspected. The requirements for a building permit for the pipe penetrations in the building wall are the jurisdiction of the individual local government.

 

The outdoor boiler is an appliance and is not an accessory structure.  The codes regulate the location of an accessory structure relative to the adjacent building and relative to the property line.  The codes are silent relative to the location of an outdoor appliance.  Therefore, the location of an outdoor wood boiler is a zoning issue.  Signed, Ronald E. Piester, RA, Director, Division of Code Enforcement and Administration, Dated January 1, 2003.

 

Supervisor Grattidge said, to make it simple, people need a building permit from your office for an outdoor wood-burning furnace since 1989.  Mr. Moon replied, “YES”. Mr. Grattidge said, when it comes to your office we use the Building Inspector and Zoning Administrator for that process.  Mr. Moon stated yes.

 

Supervisor Grattidge ask Zoning Administrator Dave LaFountain, what is his interpretation on these structures.  Mr. LaFountain stated clearly the building code requires a permit.  In the absence of a local law, it regulates under accessory uses in the zoning ordinance in the Residential/Agricultural district. Right now, from my interpretation, none would be aloud under current zoning in the Residential district.  Mr. Grattidge said they are unique how they are classified, addressing this with a local law would clarify Mr. LaFountains job at this point.  Correct said Mr. LaFountain. 

 

Supervisor Grattidge asked Mr. VanVranken Town Attorney to comment on what direction we are moving in.  Mr. VanVranken stated, if you want to continue modifying the proposed local law or continue amending it, you have to go through the process local law, public hearing etc.

 

Councilman Verola stated she would like to gather more information before moving forward with any local law.  It might be wise to get some information from the manufactures or from people who distribute them.

 

Councilman Gardner asked if anyone knew how many wood burning boilers were in the area.  Marv Schorr, ECC Chairman said three, none of which have permits. Mr. Moon, Building Inspector said two have come in last month for permits.  Councilman Gardner asks if there has been any complaint.  Supervisor Grattidge said the Zoning Office has requested we address this issue because we are going to be getting more of these units installed as the cost of energy rises. As far as complaints we have had a history of some complaints concerning burning in the Residential area a number of years ago that was addressed in the open burning ordinance.  If we continue to be doing research, we should keep it on the agenda and flush out any questions we have in the next couple of meetings.

 

Supervisor Grattidge said next on the Agenda we would have to do a local law on the “Level K” Veterans exemption.  Vicky Hayner, Chairman of the Board of Assessors said the county has approved an increase in the “level K” which is another break down of values.  In order for us to pass it to the people of our town, the Town will have to adopt a local law.  A memo dating 11-28-05 from the Assessors is as read: 

 

As I promised, following is an explanation of the amounts at “Level  K” which the County has already approved.  As you are aware, in order to give this to our residence, we have to pass a Local Law accepting the new values.

The values for Level K are stated at $36,000, $24,000, and $120,000.  The explanation of these values is as follows:

            $36,000 is the 15% exemption (maximum value) for a veteran who has served during defined periods of war or who have received expeditionary medals.

            $24,000 is the 10% additional exemption (maximum value) for a veteran who served in a combat theater or combat zone.

            $120,000 is the 50% (maximum value) exemption for a veteran who receives a service a service-connected disability rating from the Veterans’ Administration or the Department of Defense.

I recommend that we follow the County and pass a Local Law allowing for the new maximum values for the exemption.

 

Supervisor Grattidge said for the Agenda meeting we would set February as a Public Hearing to act on a local law “Level K” exemption.  Mr. VanVranken said he would have the proposal at the agenda meeting.

 

Council Verola said the Town Board Newsletter dead line is January 17, 2006. All departments have their notices. Please get them to the Town Clerk. John Kelley is working on developing a site where everyone can send his or her information.  It won’t be going to the Town Clerk.  The newsletter will go out sometime in February.

 

Supervisor Grattidge stated, at the county level he has attended one board meeting and two committee meetings.   He is on the following committees:  Buildings and Grounds, Equalization and Assessment, Public Safety and Social Programs.

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

A letter was received from NYS Office of Real Property Services.  Supervisor Grattidge read:

 

Congratulations your municipality has demonstrated successful completion of an annual reassessment on your 2005 assessment roll, consequently, you will be receiving $5.00 per parcel in State Aid.  This is your 2nd year your municipality has received aid under this program, which is an impressive accomplishment for your municipality.  By your successful completion of an annual reassessment, the taxpayers in your community are receiving the benefits of equitable assessments that reflect current market value.  Your municipality should be proud of your exemplary efforts.  Thank you for achieving the highest levels of quality assessment administration.

 

Supervisor Grattidge received a letter from Daniel Maguffin, 25 Craw for Drive.  The letter read:

 

I am a new resident of Charlton, having moved to Crawford Drive this past summer.

I must share my disappointment with you on the deplorable job of snow plowing I witnessed this morning.  When I departed my house at 6:30 am. this morning there was not a single indication that a plow had even come near Crawford Drive and neighboring streets.  No plow, no sand, nothing.

 

I expected that a plow would have passed through the area at least once during the overnight or early morning, given the forecast.

 

Please share with me the common practices and policies of the Charlton Highway Department as it relates to snow removal and clearing so that I know what to expect in the future.  Was there a specific reason or circumstance this morning that delayed plowing or is this standard operating procedures for the Department.  I look forward to your reply.  Thank you Daniel Maguffin

 

Supervisor Grattidge said everyone knows what a good job our highway department does. He asked Highway Superintendent Ron Gavin to talk about the policy on snow plowing.  Mr. Gavin stated they are not called in unless there is about 3-4 inches of snow or whatever prevails.  The sheriff department and County will call and we get out there.  I spoke with Mr. Maguffin this morning and told him we didn’t receive the letter until January 6th.  He is the last person on that route. We have four trucks in town each truck has a route. He is the last road before everyone heads back. Mr. Gavin said he invited him for coffee.

 

Supervisor Grattidge announced an invitation from the Burnt Hills School Social Studies Department. They would like to extend an invitation to participate in a Government Festival on February 15, 2005.

 

 

DEPARTMENT & COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

ANIMAL CONTROL

 

            Dog Control Officer Lee Bramer stated he had 7 calls in the month of December one was dog bite, one was a loose dog found at a door step of a resident.  Three calls were for questions and 2 calls from dogs running loose.  A call was made to remind them of our local leash law.  He then said, a dog at 4 months old is required to be licensed and will have to have their rabies prior to that point.  It is a state law cat’s get a rabies vaccine.  There is no way to follow that up with an exception if a cat bites someone.  If you don’t have their rabies the cat will go to the County Facility for a 10-day quarantine.  That would be the same as for a dog.  Councilman Verola asked, is it a 3year or 1year rabies vaccine for your cat?  Mr. Bramer said to check with your veterinarian.

 

ASSESSMENT BOARD OF REVIEW

 

            Not active

 

ASSESSORS

 

Chairman Vicky Hayner stated in December they sent all the renewal forms for senior exemptions and agricultural exemptions.  If you didn’t receive yours, contact the Assessors Office. They are due back with income information by March 1st in order to be processed in the 2006 roll.  Assessor Robert Cromie and Assessor Wesley Weaver have started looking at the split-levels in the town. They are doing a study on that style of house.  We are looking at what the state has given us and making sure that is working. The tax rolls are finalized March 1st and Grievance Day is in May.   If you are in the process of building a home or have a building permit, the last week in February we will be doing our rounds to see how far that has progressed.  We do proportional assessments on how far you are along.  If you don’t have a CO before March 1st a proportional assessment is done.

 

CONPREHENSIVE PLAN

 

Chairman David Wood stated they have been meeting for approximately two years and are getting very close to what will be a final presentation.  The plan now is making summaries. Some of our members in the front row have been helping us a lot in this process, especially in the last 2-3 months.  The summary is being prepared and should be ready in a week or two. We would like the Town Board, Zoning Board and Planning Board to review it also. If there are any suggestions, we would like to get those suggestions in early so there is a chance to make some alterations before the public hearing.  The Comprehensive Plan and the Town Board will have to hold a public hearing, assuming it would be in late winter or spring.  If there are any questions, we meet the 1st Monday of the Month or feel free to contact any of the board members.

 

CONSTABLES

 

For the month of December there were 28 patrols, 5, 911 calls, traveled 1881 miles, issued 18 tickets and responded to 5 accidents

 

ECC

 

Chairman Marv Schorr reported there was no meeting in December. The board has provided comments to the ZBA on a variance application. At the January meeting, the last Tuesday of the month, it will discuss comments received by the Town Board from the Hearing of the Outdoor Wood Burning Furnaces. A follow up letter will be sent to the Town Board. In addition, a follow up on Wally Hughes letter to the Editor on pollution and the class D stream that runs through Komar park, the Supervisor and Wally Hughes were asked to attend January’s meeting.

 

E-GOVERNMENT ADVISORY

 

Councilman Lippiello said they are meeting in two weeks.  In December more of the Town Forms were made available on the web site.   The ability to file those forms was discussed, but at this point we are going to take our time for people to become used to using it in the first place.  There is a place on the web page to sign up for the Town Newsletter. If you want to put your email address in there that is the only place it would go.  You will then receive an email version of the Town Newsletter and your name removed from the mailing list.

 

EMERGENCY PLANNING

 

Council Gardner has received some information from the past chairman.  He will be contacting the fire commissioners and setting up a time to meet.

 

HIGHWAY

 

Highway Superintendent Ron Gavin said they started out with a good December, a lot of little snow storms.  We’ve been working on replacing culverts in between time, doing a little work on the new town halls drainage system.  Working on vehicles and getting vehicles inspected.

 

HISTORIAN

 

Historian Laura Linder welcomed the new Deputy Historian Dorothy Mitchell.  Ms. Mitchell would help in assisting in genealogy and getting records ready for the new town hall.  Ms Linder said she is working with the Saratoga County Green infrastructure Plan, the Charlton historic resources, currently there are 64 listed.  She will be meeting with Sara Laport, on Monday afternoon January 23rd.  All Historians of Saratoga County met on December 15th to work on the overall historic cultural resources focus group for this infrastructure plan for the county.

 

Any students doing historic research, there are awards for you.  In the past BHBL School have received awards in using primary local historic records. 

 

Available at the State library are microfilm newspapers dating back to the first newspapers. 

 

Chuck Arnold is requesting any historic photos of The Peper store once located at the corner of Eastern Avenue and Route 147, Mr. Arnold is especially interested in stagecoach stopping photos.  Ms. Linder said if any one has any historic photos of the town, we would like to make copies to be put in our collection.  So, we have more information on Charlton then from now. 

 

The Charlton Historical society is having a movable feast on February 4th.  It is three-course meal served in local homes, if interested call Mary McDonald the cost is $15.00 a person.

 

HISTORIC DISTRICT

 

Councilman Verola said James Poirer, Chairman Historic District, could not be present.  She spoke with Mr. Poirer, he said a letter has been sent regarding the Springer Pump Factory to a realtor.  Laura Linder, Historian said she believes the house has been sold and the people who were interested in the property have contacted me but we haven’t spoke yet.

 

The Historic District web site is complete and should be up and running soon.  The next meeting is on January 18th the third Wednesday of each month.

 

 

JUSTICES

 

Councilman Lippiello read the following report from Justice Larry Bascom.

From Justice Bascom during the month of December, 46 cases for penal law, 42 vehicle and traffic law.  Fine and surcharges received and deposited total $2,790.00, a bad check fee received and deposited $15.00 and to the state went $2790.00.

 

Justice Vernon Ketchum said this is the first time we have reported to the Town Board and he would speak to Judge Bascom on marrying the reports together.

The report read:

 

During the month of December the Justice Court reported 30 motor vehicle and Traffic cases to the State Comptroller.  A total of 1895.00 in fines and $1000.00 in mandatory surcharges were collected and forwarded to the Comptrollers Office.  Additionally, The Court presided over one Felony case and four misdemeanor cases in December.  All were adjourned to future dates.

 

Previous 2005 Activity:

 

Month

No Of Cases

Dismissals

Fines

Surcharges

Totals

January

34

5

2310

1100

3410

February

26

6

1595

985

2580

March

45

6

3195

1535

4730

April

39

10

3145

1325

4470

May

30

6

1415

935

2350

June

27

4

1915

935

2850

July

24

3

2155

550

2705

August

20

0

1725

825

2550

September

18

0

1420

605

2025

October

17

5

945

450

1395

November

29

5

1910

705

2615

December

30

4

1895

1000

2895

Totals

339

54

23625

10950

34575

10,000 Bail Collected during 2005 and returned in January

 

LIBRARY

 

Councilman Lippiello said he spoke with Anna Jane the librarian, she is looking forward to working with the new liaison Councilman Salisbury.  There was no meeting in December; the next meeting is on January 25th.

 

PARKS

 

Chairman George Eggleston stated we are awaiting a matching grant to rebuild the pavilion at Elmer Smith Park.  A new backstop was put in on the southern end of the area and repaired the warming shelter.  We will be meeting this month.

 

PLANNING BOARD

 

Councilman Verola read the monthly report from the planning board. The report read:

 

2005 was an active year in which 18 subdivisions/lot line changes were approved, resulting in the creation of 18 new lots in the Town of Charlton.

 

The Town of Charlton Planning Board last met on Monday, November 21, 2005. During this meeting, three public hearings were held, three subdivisions approved and three new applications heard.

 

1)     Banker Trust (224-1-4.1): Four lot subdivision of 100 acres owned by Judy Rae Banker on Route 147. Public hearing held at 7:45. Subdivision approved - resolution 2005-16. Subdivision has been subsequently rescinded by the applicant as the 100 acre parcel has been sold intact.

2)     Loukes (247-2-27.1, 247-2-41): Two lot subdivision, with minor lot line change of 59 acres owned by Odorless Sanitary Cleaners on Stage Road. Public hearing held at 8:00. Subdivision approved - resolution 2005-17.

3)     Concilla (235-1-6.1): Two lot subdivision of 6.73 acres owned by Helen Concilla on Western Avenue. Public hearing held at 8:15. Subdivision approved - resolution 2005-18.

4)     Mischler (245-1-5.2): Lot line change transferring 6.3 acres owned by William Mischler on Charlton Road to adjacent property owners. ,

5)     Nigriny (247-1-50.12): Two lot subdivision of 5.3 acres owned by John and Regina Nigriny on the corner of Sweetman and Jenkins Roads.  The request does not meet Charlton’s zoning ordinance setback requirements and is being referred to the ZBA for an Area Variance.

6)     DeNooyer (235-1-44  &  235-1-67.2): Two lot subdivision with minor lot line change of 80 acres owned by James DeNooyer on Sacandaga Road. The application has been accepted by the Planning Board as complete and the Public Hearing will be held at 7:45 PM on 1/16/06.

7)     Heflin/Durst (255-1-40.1,41, 43.1, 43.2, 43.3): Twenty three lot subdivision of 87 acres owned by Gary Heflin and Dean Durst on Swaggertown Road. The subdivision application was accepted by the Planning Board in June, 2005 and is in the preliminary review phase working on engineering details. The application stipulates town water for all lots therefore requiring extension of the Town water district.

 

RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD

 

Chairman Heather Scribner said they will be a meeting in February.  She welcomed two new members to the board Gail Hanchar and Dorothy Mitchell.

 

TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

 

Chairman John Tasse said they reviewed a portion of the new town hall drawing, draft 1 as it relates to networking, fire alarm systems, security systems and public address systems.  We provided guidance on the computer network specifications and recommended that the town board look into contracting other systems including public address. It is recommended to look for an outfit that could give us a design that the Technology Committee could review because it is not included in the architects contract.  Also, provided comments on the electrical drawings that were provided. 

 

We have been reviewing software for the justices and Mr. Eggleston found that we could get grants for the software.  We are going to pass this on to Judge Ketchum to see if he can inflate some of the cost. 

 

Paul St. John, Technology board member is working on software for the Highway Department.

 

TOWN HALL

 

Councilman Verola stated the architect is working on completing the drawings so we could go to bid late January or early February.  The Technology committee has made recommendations on the electrical wiring.  Ms. Verola said she contacted a burglar and fire alarm company and will be meeting tomorrow. We will receive an estimate on wiring for the burglar and fire alarm.  Supervisor Grattidge said he would be setting up a meeting with Tec II, who handles our phone system. Also, working on gathering information to hire an owner representative before we go to bid.

 

WATER DISTRICT

 

Councilman Lippiello read the following report submitted by Water Superintendent John Morgan.

 

Month of December:  Daily Chlorine Samples 31, Monthly Lab Chloroform Sample 2, and Pump Hours- a. 15.5 hours b. 26.1 hours, Gallons per Month Used 1,981,200 Daily average 63,910, UFPO -Under Ground Facility Protection Organization (Locations for cable, gas main, water lines etc.) 3

 

Maintenance work performed, 1 Alarm drop at pump station, 1 water shut off and 3 curb box location.

 

8/31/05 thru 12/6/05 Little Troy job complete and in service

#2 pump down for maintenance and rust problem

 

Mr. Morgan said in regards to the #2 pumping base plate there is a baring that goes down 6 foot into the ground, it is starting to deteriorate.  Although we do not have any leaks going through the system at this time, to replace it unfortunately we would be looking at some substantial money.  

 

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

 

Chairman Maggie Schmidt read the following report:

 

As of September, the decisions made and the minutes from the main meetings have been reported to the Webmaster to be included on the Charlton Website.  Please take note that we don’t always have meetings if there is no hearing scheduled for that particular month.

 

The Charlton Zoning Board of Appeals reviewed 7 cases in 2005.

April- J& J Services- Putnam, Swaggertown Road, Area Variance for a pre existing lot: Granted

May- David Taplin, Cortland Drive, side lot setback Area Variance: Granted

July- Waring, Stage Road, Area Variance for a sub division: Granted

July- Ormsby, Stage Road, area variance for a wrap around porch: Granted

Septmeber-Sczerba, Wait Road, Area Variance for a sub division: Denied

October-Ron Muscanell, Crooked Street, Area Variance for a subdivision: Granted

November- Cabrera, Cortland Drive, Area Variance for a carport: Granted

 

The board will be attending a training session sponsored by the Saratoga County Planning Department on January 25th.

 

We will be hearing a case tomorrow eve, which is January 10th.  It is the Nigriny Property at 138 Jenkins Road.  They wish to subdivide their property.  The frontage and acreage are adequate; the problem is the setback from the pond, which is on the primary property.  We also have to look at the status of the existing barn on the original property.

 

Next month we will be hearing a case for West Charlton United Presb. Church for sign variance.  The date will be February 14th.

 

ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

 

Dave LaFountain said he issued 5 permits, 8 C/O and took in $513.00 for the month of December.  In 2005, 123 building permits were issued.

 

TOWN CLERK

 

Town Clerk Heather Scribner read the following update from the NYS Department of Agriculture and Market Dog Licensing:

 

Effective January 15, 2006, no dog license may expire after expiration date of the dog’s rabies vaccination.  If your dog is due for a rabies vaccination booster during the next year, you must have it boostered now in order to have a full year license.  If you choose not to have your dog vaccinated now you will still need to pay the full annual fee and you will need to renew your dog again after it has been vaccinated

 

 

The night hours of the Town Clerks Office has changed to Tuesday evening from 6pm-8pm.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution No. 60 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, that the Supervisor is authorized to make the following transfer of $2,750.00 from Account #A-1990.4 Contingency to A-9060.8 Health Insurance for additional premium, be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

            A motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution No. 61 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $56.00 FROM ACCOUNT A-1990.4 CONTINGENCY TO A-8540.4 DRAINAGE-CONTRACTUAL FOR MS4 be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

            A motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Gardner that Resolution No. 62 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $443.00 FROM ACCOUNT A-1190.4 CONTINGENCY TO ACCOUNT A-3120.4 POLICE-CONTRACTUAL FOR GASOLINE be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

            A motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Lippiello that Resolution No. 63 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $546.00 FROM a-1990.4 CONTINGENCY TO A-1460.4 RECORDS MANAGEMENT-CONTRACTUAL FOR GRANT WRITER be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

            A motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Gardner that Resolution No. 64 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $45.00 FROM ACCOUNT A-1990.4 CONTINGENCY TO ACCOUNT A-1010.4 TOWN BOARD-CONTRACTUAL FOR LEGAL NOTICES be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution No. 65 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $1810.00 FROM ACCOUNT A-1990.4 CONTINGENCY TO ACCOUNT A-1010.4 SUPERVISOR-PERSONAL SERVICES FOR HEATHER SCRIBNER PAYROLL be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

A motion made by Councilman Lippiello, seconded by Councilman Verola that Resolution No. 66 A RESOLUTION TRANSFERRING FUNDS BE IT RESOLVED, THAT THE SUPERVISOR IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING TRANSFER OF $.50 FROM ACCOUNT SW-8340.4 SOURCE OF SUPPLY-CONTRACTUAL TO ACCOUNT SW-8340.1 SOURCE OF SUPPLY-PERSONAL SERVICES FOR PAYROLL ADJUSTMENT be approved:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

A motion made by Councilman Verola, seconded by Councilman Gardner that Resolution No. 67, A RESOLUTION AUTHORINZING INTERMUNICIPAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TOWN OF SARATOGA AND THE TOWN OF CHARLTON FOR THE BUS TRANSPORTATION TO THE 2006 ASSOCIATION OF TOWNS MEETING IN NEW YORK CITY IN FEBRUARY 2006be approve:

 

Roll call vote: Councilman Gardner: Aye, Councilman Lippiello: Aye, Councilman Salisbury: Aye, Councilman Verola: Aye, Supervisor Grattidge: Aye  Approved

 

COUNCILMAN REPORTS

 

Councilman Gardner- He said Overwhelming.

 

Councilman Lippiello said thank you to all those who said yes, as we made those resolutions for the New Year.  It is amazing all the people who step up and offer their time and say I will do what I can do to help the Town.  Welcome to our two new board members and Heather Scribner as our Town Clerk.  Last week the board attended a three-day workshop.  We all came away with some new information, once again when you listen to some of the other towns you say Charlton is in good shape.  You hear questions like, what do you do when they won’t come in for the audit?  These are town employees who have a legal responsibility to come in and towns are fighting that kind of fight. 

 

Councilman Salisbury said he is missing one report from Judge Bascom.  Supervisor Grattidge said he would make a copy.  He says it is a pleasure to be here and hopefully I can do a good job for everyone here.

 

Councilman Verola welcomed our two new board members our new Town Clerk and Supervisor.  Ms. Verola said I look forward to working with you.

 

PRIVLAGE TO THE FLOOR

 

John Tasse, Sweetman Road- Relative to the town hall plan, do we have a schedule when more will be coming in.  Supervisor Grattidge said, at this time I haven’t seen any more revised drawings.  They are expecting to get some information from their engineer next week.  As Ms. Verola indicated, we need to work on the alarm system design also the sound system.  We need to work on our end before we get more drafts from the architect.  Mr. Tasse asked if the plan for the retention basin would be the same design.  Supervisor Grattidge said at this point we are going to use the open design, it has a 3-1 gradual slope and it will be lawn when it is done.  It is performing the same function as the other system.  This was the original design they first came in with, the other was an alternate design.  Because of cost restraints and the infrastructure of the actual settling basin we decided to go back to the open basin design.

 

Mr. Tasse said, relative to the Heflin – Durst subdivision, they are going to want water, is the towns strategy going to approve or disapprove water before the planning board hears it? We don’t want to find ourselves in the same spot as the other Crooked Street subdivision.  Supervisor Grattidge said Heflin – Durst subdivision has to rise to at least the preliminary approval with the planning board before the town board can consider the water extension.  Mr. Robert VanVranken esq., said the SEQR review is the cut off you have the preliminary approval, generally a lot layout, a SEQR, has been completed and basic engineering. Then come back to the town board for the water district extension application process.  I believe Mr. Tabner has communicated this to the attorney for Heflin-Durst.  Mr. Tasse said when they submit their SEQR form in front of the preliminary plan then the town board can review it.  Mr. VanVranken said not when they submit it, when the process is at a point where they have considered all the thresholds aspects of the SEQR review, then they can come back to the town board.  Supervisor Grattidge said you couldn’t create a water district with out engineering design work and preliminary approval of a planning board. It was determined that we can’t act on a water district extension until the SEQR process has been followed.  Mr. VanVranken said one way or the other you have to do it, you either do it at the town board level as part of the water district level or do it at the planning board level as part of the subdivision application.  The thinking is the planning board has that expertise.

 

Kevin Stone, 724 Charlton Road said concerning with the local law passed reducing the planning board size to five members, I would like to read a letter signed by a few residents:  We the residents of the Town of Charlton, including past and present members of the Town of Charlton Planning Board, do not believe that it is in the best interest of the Town of Charlton to reduce the Planning Board size from 7 to 5.  We urge the Town Board to rescind Local Law #2 of 2005 and restore the Planning Board membership to 7 at the earliest possible date. Sincerely, Kevin Stone, Eileen Stone, Steve Caine, Connie Wood, Jay Wilkinson, John Kadlecek and John Tasse.  Mr. Stone said there was one other planning board member who expressed interest in signing; I was unable to directly connect with.

Mr. Stone said, in the town board meeting minutes, he stated a five-person planning board work more efficiently and Councilman Grattidge received a good response from the planning board. Mr. Stone said none of the planning board members knew this was being discussed prior to the December 12th meeting. Majority did not find out about the resolution until after the meeting, either by reading minutes or hearing about it by chance.  The statement said that the planning board felt it was good, I don’t think it applies to the planning board.  It applies to individuals possibly not the planning board.  I have spoken with planning board members and most of them feel this is not a good move for the planning board.  The underline point that was made was efficiency and some of points in favor are, it is easier to get 3 out of 5 a quorum.  But in fact it is less likely you can get a 3 out of 5 quorum than a 4 out of 7 quorum. Another point made, meetings could run more efficient with a 5-member board.  Having attended and lead many meetings in my career, having 5-7 members makes no impact.  What makes a difference on meeting efficiency are leadership, controlling the meetings and making sure it stays on schedule.  Another argument made reducing meeting size will reduce discussions and opinions. In a democracy that concerns me.  If the concern is too much discussion and controversy back and forth, that is controlling the meeting.  If long meetings were cause by lack of preparedness of members again, reducing size would not necessarily have any impact.  Fixing the problem understands the cause, if the problems are long meetings and discussions not made exceedingly.  Mr. Stone stated, “I don’t see how this decision is going to impact at all”.  Supervisor Grattidge said the planning board would work through the decisions whether it were 5 or 7 members in an efficient manner.  The chairman tends to do the lion share getting prepared for the meetings, and then the members attend the meetings.  Mr. Stone said quality of the planning board work is far more important than efficiency.   The town boards statement to the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee has been it is important to do it right than quickly.  The quality of work should be taken into account.  Councilman Lippiello said we are please with the quality of the planning board work.  You take efficiency, we have people who come in for a meeting with the planning board and are not being heard until 11:00, 11:30 at night.  We think it is not doing the applicant a service or the people who are volunteering their time to work on the board.  We are concerned with the efficiency aspect and the convenience to our citizens. Mr. Stone replied I agree, I don’t see any strong argument why reducing the size would address that problem.  I commend the board for trying to address the problem, my concern is, that it is an important change that could affect quality. It was implied this was an experiment and could be changed. What are some things you will be doing to watch this?  If you don’t rescind, I am asking you to report on this at the next town board meeting

 

Paul St. John 140 Crane Street said congratulations to the new Town Board members, Supervisor and Town clerk.  As a past chairman and member of the planning board, the chairman does 90% of the work.  The time levels, number of permits and reports has changed dramatically over the past years. Give the town board a chance to go over this. They will do a very good job, you don’t have to demand of them whether there will be an evaluation period, this will manifest it self, these people will check up.

 

Mr. St. John said to Water Superintendent John Morgan, in regards to a new pump, a few years ago it came up about the valves. You don’t crank the valves down each year you don’t crank them back, they were replaced because they froze up.  Mr. Morgan said they are cycled every two years. The reason for the new pump, it is 35 years old and deteriorating.

 

Laura Linder, 2116 Route 67 asked, what are the hours the Town Clerks Office is open?  Town Clerk Heather Scribner stated the Clerk hours are Monday-Friday 9am-1:00pm, Tuesday 6:00-8:00pm and Saturday 9:00-12:00pm.  Ms. Linder said the American Flag is supposed to be the tallest flag in the building.  Could someone give us a stump that would be large enough for the flag to sit on, otherwise we would need a need a new pole for the flag.

 

John Fettke, Eastern Avenue asked, has there been any thoughts given to energy conservation in the new town hall?  What kind of money could you get back from the state if you were to do solar panels?  Councilman Verola said the architect is looking into this. It was discussed early on.  Mr. St. John suggested the architect go to NYSERTA.  The last building I worked on we received $438,000 back for the energy research.  If you comply with them they would give you money for energy improvements.

 

Supervisor Grattidge set the next meeting date, Agenda Meeting January 30, 2006 at 7:30pm.

 

The Meeting of the Town Board was adjourned at 9:13pm.

 

 

 

 

            Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Heather Scribner, Town Clerk

 

 

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