The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ballston was held Tuesday evening, August 7, 2007 at the Town Hall on Charlton Road. Members present were Deputy Supervisor Harold Townley, Councilmen James Briaddy, Robert Boice, and Councilwoman Mary Beth Hynes. Also present were Town Attorney Carlton Pott and Town Clerk Muriel Swatling. Absent was Supervisor Raymond Callanan.
Deputy Supervisor Townley called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Robert Boice that the minutes of the June special meeting and July regular meeting be approved. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
Library Trustee Barbara Wilson, Building Inspector Thomas Johnson, Highway/Water Superintendent Joseph Whalen, Dog Control Officer John Christopher, Deputy Dog Control Officer Thomas Shambo and Town Clerk Muriel Swatling presented reports for July, and they are on file in the Town Clerk’s office.
Deputy Supervisor Townley presented the Supervisor’s report.
A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by Robert Boice that the Supervisor’s report for July be approved. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
Robert Boyce of Westside Drive inquired as to the status of the end of Westside Drive. Attorney Pott stated that he had checked with the resident for a meeting time and found it would have to be sometime after August 20th. There will be a meeting to discuss the draft map with has been formulated.
Mr. Boyce stated that the Court had made the determination regarding the road and nothing has been done since October 1st. Work on the road was supposed to start on April 1st and that has not happened. C. T. Male came down and did a survey and nothing has been done. Mr. Boyce foiled records and stated there was no letter included. The resident has posted No Trespassing signs. Mr. Boyce has his property for sale and four interested parties would not go look at the house because the signs were there.
Mr. Boyce also asked about unlicensed vehicles. He said there are many on one property in his neighborhood. Councilwoman Hynes asked if there are plates on these vehicles? Mr. Boyce replied no.
The Town assured Mr. Boyce they would look into this.
Mr. Boyce also stated that if there is a meeting regarding the draft map, he would like to be in on it. The Town has to determine where the original road (Westside Drive) was.
Scott Miller spoke regarding the windfall the Town is receiving from Saratoga County. Mr. Miller feels that this money should go into a fund to preserve open space. Mr. Miller also feels that the County should have put money into an open space fund. The County needs to be convinced that they (the County) should enhance their open space program.
Councilwoman Hynes said that she agrees that the County open space program in under funded. She is supportive of looking into putting some of the money from the County into the open space program. Ms. Hynes feels that the Parks and Recreation Fund and the Open Space Fund should be two separate items.
The following Budget Calendar for the 2008 Budget was presented for approval.
Budget Estimate to Supervisor September 4
Board Meeting of Salaries September 11
Preliminary Budget to Clerk September 30
Preliminary Budget to Town Board October 2
Budget Workshops October 9 – 7:30 p.m.
October 16 – 7:30 p.m.
Public Hearing on Budget November 8 – 7:30 p.m.
07-91: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Mary Beth Hynes to approve the 2008 Budget Calendar. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
07-92: A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by James Briaddy to approve a resolution of support for a Saratoga P.L.A.N. application to Saratoga County for the purchase of 61 acres of land along the Mourningkill Creek. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
The Town is planning to transfer its telephone service from Verizon to Cornerstone Telephone Company because there is a projected savings of $1,600.00 per year.
O7-93: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Mary Beth Hynes to approve the transfer of telephone service from Verizon to Cornerstone Telephone Company with a projected savings of $1,600.00 per year. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
Library Board Trustee, Scott Porter, has moved from the Town of Ballston and has presented his resignation from the Library Board.
07-94: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Mary Beth Hynes to accept the resignation of Scott Porter from the Library Board of Trustees. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
07-95: A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by James Briaddy to appoint Emily Brower to complete the remainder of Scott Porter’s term on the Library Board of Trustees, said term ending on June 30, 2009. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
The Town is desirous of getting a generator for the Water Department Pumping Station on Lakehill Road. They are going to apply for grant money for this project.
07-96: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Mary Beth Hynes to authorize the preparation and submission of a grant application for the proposed generator at the Lakehill Road Pumping Station. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
07-97: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Robert Boice to approve the following shift resolution for Smith Pollard Architects to relocate to the Schenectady-Glenville Empire Zone. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
WHEREAS, Smith Pollard Architects has designed projects in the Town of Ballston and surrounding areas since 1988 to the present; and
WHEREAS, Smith Pollard Architects employed five people including a resident of the Town of Ballston; and
WHEREAS, Smith Pollard Architects looked for two years at properties in the Town of Ballston, Ballston Spa, and Saratoga Springs; and
WHEREAS, Smith Pollard Architects attempted to relocate in the Town of Ballston and Saratoga County but could not find the property that would meet the needs of their business; and
WHEREAS, the Town Board is in receipt of the letter for J. T. Pollard stating the need to relocate Smith Pollard Architects to the Empire Zone; and
WHEREAS, Smith Pollard Architects seek a shift resolution to the Empire Zone to allow their firm to take advantage of the benefits of the Schenectady-Glenville Empire Zone;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it hereby
RESOLVED, that the Town of Ballston consents to the relocation of Smith Pollard Architects from the Town of Ballston to the Schenectady-Glenville Empire Zone.
07-98: A motion was made by Robert Boice and seconded by James Briaddy to approve Local Law No. 8 for the year 2007 concerning Subdivision Regulations related to roadway profiles. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.
A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Robert Boice. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Muriel K. Swatling
Town Clerk