Regular Meeting of the Hadley Town Board held at the Hadley Town Hall, 4 Stony Creek Road, Hadley, NY, on Thursday, February 10th 2011 at 7PM.
Members present: Supervisor Arthur Wright Councilwoman: Colleen DeMarsh
Councilman: James Brewster Charles Ovitt Carl Lawrence
Also present: Highway Superintendent: Joseph Monica, Attorney Raeann Johnson and Town Clerk, Pauline G. Smead
RESOLUTION # 26 was made by a motion from Colleen DeMarsh seconded by Charles Ovitt.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hadley Town Board have audited all pre paid vouchers and all have been approved. All Ayes
General: Abs. #2-3-4=$291,072.97 Highway: Abs. #2-3=$5,757.25
SW1: Abs. #2-3=$275.14 SW2: Abs. #2-3=$634.95 Sewer: Abs. #2-3=$445.95
RESOLUTION # 27 was made by a motion from Charles Ovitt seconded by Colleen DeMarsh
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hadley Town Board have audited all vouchers and all were approved for payment. All Ayes.
General: $14,757.31 Highway: $57,416.55 SW1: $180.66
Sewer: $103.60 SW2: $303.63 Street Lights: $2,881.73
Councilman Ovitt informed Mr. Monica that he would not sign a salt bill if they were going to continue putting salt on dirt roads. Mr. Monica stated that at some point on hills they needed a little to break the ice up.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. William Cartier had received an anonymous letter and an anonymous phone call from certain individuals. Due that these were anonymous; the minutes will not reflect these complaints.
Fay (Moak) Tragila of the North Country ATV Association asked if the Town Board had made any decision pertaining to their request of opening roads to ATV's.
Councilman Carl Lawrence stated that numerous people had informed him that they did not want ATV's on their property. He stated that Hadley Hill does not have enough room as there are no shoulders.
Councilman Ovitt stated that he was not in favor of opening Town Roads to snow machines or ATV's either. He stated that in their case, being a Club, they could control their members but once the roads are opened then it is opened for everyone. He stated that he has had too many experiences on the roads with snow machines and ATV's while trying to plow and so on. He stated that once the Town Board approves, they become partially responsible for what happens and he stated that he would not place the Town in that predicament.
Attorney Johnson will review the information provided to her and will advise the Town Board at the March meeting pertaining to the legality and liability.
Councilman Brewster asked if the Towns actually sold permits and Mr. Tragila stated that no permits are being sold any longer.
Councilwoman DeMarsh asked if the snow machine trails were also being used by the ATV's and she was informed that different Counties and Towns varied.
Supervisor Wright stated that this will be tabled until next month so the Town Attorney may provide them with information.
The Rockwell Falls Ambulance District is now accepting letters of interest thru February 28th for the temporary position on the Board of Commissioners representing the Town of Hadley. Mrs. Monica stated that they have a temporary fill in case they do not have anyone from Hadley apply till the end of the term.
Mrs. Susan Wilder informed the Town Board that the Maple Festival will take place on the last Saturday of April and they have moved the car show in the Smead Memorial Park and asked the Supervisor to contact the Sheriff's Office to ask for some help with the traffic on that day. She also asked permission to close Circular Street from 8AM till 4PMand have sign stating that the street is only opened to local traffic. She stated that she would speak to the residents living on that street to make sure they are in accordance. She also asked about disposing of the garbage that day and she was informed that Clinton Carlton has a key and will open the gate for them.
Mrs. Wilder asked if at the Associations of Towns the capping of property taxes will be discussed.
Supervisor Wright stated that there were going to be meetings held on Monday and Tuesday to discuss this matter at the County level and also at the conferences.
Mrs. Wilder also asked about the tax cap.
Supervisor Wright stated that it would not affect us as much as it will affect the schools. He stated that there were so many loopholes on the cap that they don't know what the cap even means. He stated that this will affect counties and schools more than us. He stated that he just received a packet from NASDAC this week to review. A meeting was held on Tuesday with 900 unhappy Elected County Officials as Governor Cuomo chose not to attend.
Mrs. Wilder also asked about the Land Easement purchase.
Supervisor Wright stated that as far as he was concerned that he feels that the state owns enough land. He stated that they are unable to pay the taxes on what they own already and if they chose to sell the lumber of their properties the state would not be in the predicament they are in now.
Mr. Wilfred Cartier asked what the Resolution # 23 of February's meeting. It states that due that South Hadley has no debt so no advolorum on the tax bills and they are now saving $100 to $150.00 on their tax bills, the State requires that the South Hadley District be self sufficient and now the rate for user fees will go up approx $21.00 for one household and $26.00 for a business which is still a big saving.
Tracey Clothier, from LA Group attended the meeting to acquire information for John Duncan pertaining to the permits they need to acquire for the Whitewater Park & Play areas. They would like to install (3) three more rocks in the Sacandaga. The rocks they installed by the Bow Bridge did not work as the water drops and with the backwash from the Hudson River, it really interferes with the flow. The reason they install these rocks is for kayakers or tubers to come down the Sacandaga and they can stop at these rocks and hold their competitions and so on. The only such Park is in Watertown. Hadley is the only place in the North East where the water has a reliable level for these competitions. With having to go through APA and the State as they own the bottom of the river and they are asking whether this will make the river more dangerous or wild. She stated that this was a public project and that the Town of Hadley should receive some benefit from this once it gets going. Mr. Duncan has asked the Town of Hadley for some financial assistance with the cost of the permits. She was informed that the Town of Hadley Town Board will not donate taxpayer's monies to a private business as per the advice of the Town's Attorney.
Mrs. Clothier also spoke about the Adirondack Park Smart Growth Grant which does not cost anything to the Town and asked that the Town consider pass the resolution.
The Town Board's folders consisted of: Supervisor's monthly report, Building Inspector's report and Planning Board meeting minutes. Water 1, Water 2 and Sewer reports are on file in the Town Clerk's Office for review. Also included is information from Adirondack Partnership and a resolution for the Smart Growth Grant Application.
Highway Superintendent's report was verbal. Mr. Monica informed the Town Board that the roads will soon have to be posted. He asked if the Town Clerk advertise now so when they are ready the public will have been informed.
Mr. Monica also stated that he had been harassed on the phone which he stated that he was blamed of wrongdoings and favoritism to her neighbors as it is a designated turnaround and it gets plowed for School buses, plows, garbage and recyclable trucks. He stated that this turnaround property is privately owned and they allow the town to use it as they allow the school buses to use it also. This person is upset as they feel that they should not plow anyone's property.
Supervisor Wright stated that the Town's Attorney would decide if the Town needed to do a Resolution stating that the Highway Superintendent was allowed to plow that turnaround and Attorney Johnson stated that this matter was the Highway Superintendent's decision to do as needed.
Supervisor's report was verbal. He stated that in the Board's that was information pertaining to the Adirondack Partnership which will include Towns, Villages and Businesses and he explained that the purpose of this is to have a stronger voice about what happens in the Adirondack Park against the APA and against some land purchases. There is no fee to the Municipality.
RESOLUTION # 28 was made by a motion from Charles Ovitt seconded by Carl Lawrence.
WHEREAS, many organizations within the Adirondacks have identified planning resources and a regional planning resources and a regional planning structure as a need, and
WHEREAS, AATV (Adirondack Associations of Towns and Villages) through a partnership with ANCA
(Adirondack North Country Association), was successful in creating a great deal of meaningful data and information through APRAP (Adirondack Park Regional Assessment Project), and
WHEREAS, one of the first planning priorities needs to be the development of successful economic strategies for the Adirondack Park, and
WHEREAS, local governments are best equipped to lead this effort due to their understanding of local community issues, and
WHEREAS, it has been determined that such a process must include Towns, Villages, Counties, State Agencies and other partners, and
WHEREAS, the Adirondack Partnership is structured to accomplish this process, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Supervisor of the Town of Hadley is hereby authorized to enter into the Adirondack Partnership MOU, and be it further
RESOLVED Supervisor Arthur M. Wright is named as the AATV Representative to the Adirondack Partnership.
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Adirondack Association of Towns and Villages. All Ayes.
Supervisor Wright informed the Town Board and the public that April 16th will be a roadside cleanup day in the Town of Hadley in conjunction with Earth Day organized by Carrie Hanlon and she is trying to include all other municipalities, Stony Creek, Day, Hadley and Lake Luzerne. She in inquiring if the cleanup gets done if the town of Hadley will pick up the garbage bags and the Supervisor stated that the Town will do so. Mrs. Hanlon has contacted the Lion's Club, the Boy Scouts and the Supervisor stated that they will be looking for volunteers with pick-ups to gather the garbage and take it to the recycling center. Weather permitting, the date might have to be changed. Please contact Mrs. Hanlon with any questions.
Supervisor Wright informed the Town Board that he had spoken to Scott Navaro from Niagara Mohawk and they are prepared at this time to transfer the deed for the Park to the Town of Hadley. They will hold a conference call with the Town's Attorney and their attorney to gather the information necessary to write the deed. Niagara Mohawk already has signed of and all necessary information needs to be provided to them so the deed may be written in the Town of Hadley's name. He stated that this was the most positive conversation he has ever had in the last three years and he has had 200 to 300 calls with their attorney or representatives.
Supervisor Wright informed the Town Board that by spring these communities will have cell service and all is moving forward.
The Town Clerk apologized for not having the Dog Program in working order until last week as the program had glitches and she was out sick and so on. She explained that the Town was in the process of doing a Dog Census and everyone will be receiving information pertaining to licensing their dogs.
Town Clerk's report: Revenues: $55.00
Disbursements: Supervisor: $30.00
SW2: $25.00
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS DISCUSSED
Eileen Bennett thanked Highway Superintendent Monica for the care of the roads this winter.
Supervisor asked the Town Board to what their decision was pertaining to the monies Mr. Duncan had requested for the Whitewater Park.
After a long discussion the Town Board informed her that the Town of Hadley Town Board will not donate taxpayer's monies to a private business as per the advice of the Town's Attorney.
Supervisor Wright informed the Town Board that the cost for the Town's portion for the writing of the Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program will be $150 and Maureen Lanfear will take part in the Grant writing with Tracy Clothier.
RESOLUTION # 29 was made by a motion from Charles Ovitt seconded by Carl Lawrence.
WHEREAS, the Department of Environmental Conservation is soliciting applications for the Adirondack Park Community Smart Growth Program. This resolution authorizes the signing of a grant application and, upon approval of said request to enter into and execute a state assistance contract in connection with the Adirondack Community Smart Growth Program.
RESOLVED: that Arthur Wright, as Supervisor of the Town of Hadley, is hereby authorized and directed to file an application for funds from the Adirondack Community Smart Growth Program of New York State Department of Environmental, in an amount not to exceed $80,000, with no match grant required: and
Involve the municipal partners of the Town of Hadley, Town of Lake Luzerne, the Town of Corinth, and the Village of Corinth: and
Upon approval of said request to enter and execute a state assistance contract with the Department of Conservation for such financial assistance to the Town of Hadley.
The project is an Economic Opportunity Plan for the Hudson River Communities of Corinth, Lake Luzerne and Hadley. This initiative is a focused, collaborated approach to developing a detailed strategy that integrates the attributes of the waterfront, recreational landscape, and business districts into a targeted tourism destination. It is intended to establish the corridor as a new and exciting recreational, heritage and environmental tourism product for Saratoga and Warren Counties and will build on initiatives already underway such as the Upper Hudson River Railroad Scenic Train and the Sacandaga Whitewater Recreational Improvements. Through a framework of regional collaboration and corporation between the private and public sectors, the Economic Opportunity Plan will identify ways that investors can capitalize upon the region's assets in the modern economy.
The foundation for this sustainable economic development initiative is the combined initiatives described in previously completed municipal plans including:
*Village of Corinth Comprehensive Plan
*Village of Corinth Downtown Revitalization Plan
*Town of Corinth Comprehensive Plan
*Town of Lake Luzerne Comprehensive Plan
*First Wilderness heritage Corridor
*Hadley Hamlet Master Plan
CERTIFICATE OF RECORDING OFFICER
I, as duly elected or qualified acting Clerk of the Town Board of the Town of Hadley, New York, Do hereby certified that the attached resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Hadley Town Board held on February 10th 2011 and is on file and on record, and that said resolution has not been altered, amended, or revoked and is full force and effect. All Ayes.
Susan Wilder offered the minutes of the Hadley Business Association meeting minutes of the January
RESOLUTION # 30 was made by a motion from Charles Ovitt seconded by Carl Lawrence.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hadley Town Board extends permission to the Town Clerk to advertise the Road Closing in the Post Star. All Ayes.
RESOLUTION # 31 was made by a motion from Charles Ovitt seconded by Carl Lawrence.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Hadley Town Board has determined that there is a need for a Dog Enumeration in the Town and directs James Jenkins, Animal Control Officer to start this process. All Ayes.
Councilman Ovitt asked Highway Superintendent for the specs for the garbage truck and he was informed that they were almost done except a few minor details.
Motion was made by Charles Ovitt seconded by Carl Lawrence to adjourn this meeting at 8PM. All Ayes
Pauline G. Smead
Town Clerk
