The regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Ballston was held Thursday evening, November 8, 2007 at the Town Hall on Charlton Road. Members present were Supervisor Raymond Callanan, Councilmen James Briaddy, Harold Townley, Robert Boice and Councilwoman Mary Beth Hynes. Also present were Town Attorney Carlton Pott and Town Clerk Muriel Swatling.

Supervisor Callanan called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley that the minutes of the September special meeting and public hearings and October regular meeting be approved. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

Building Inspector Thomas Johnson, Highway/Water Superintendent Joseph Whalen, Dog Control Officer John Christopher, Deputy Dog Control Officer Thomas Shambo, Supervisor Raymond Callanan and Town Clerk Muriel Swatling presented reports for October and they are on file in the Town Clerk’s office.

Sonja Olsen of the Library Board of Trustees reported that Library Director Anna Jane Abaray is retiring, and the Board of Trustees recommends present Children’s Librarian, Karen D’Angelo, to be appointed to fill the position of Library Director. Also, a program on Reverse Mortgages will be presented at the Library.

Supervisor Callanan thanked both Anna Jane Abaray and Karen D’Angelo for the excellent jobs they have done.

Supervisor Callanan reported that the turning lane project on Route 50 by Specialty Silicones will not begin until next year.

Supervisor Callanan presented the financial report for October.

A motion was made by Harold Townley and seconded by Robert Boice to approve the Supervisor’s report as presented. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

Robert Boyce of Westside Drive thanked Highway Superintendent Joseph Whalen and his crew for the wonderful job they did paving Westside Drive.

Paul Simpson asked about the payment for bringing water to Scotchbush Road. Supervisor Callanan replied that the construction costs would be paid out of Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Water District No. 2 and the cost would be repaid as residents paid to hook up to the waterline.

Frances Cappiello thanked Supervisor Callanan for his service to the Town over the past years. She feels that he has been very fair. Mrs. Cappiello also asked if AMD had signed for the water from Saratoga County; water that the Town has to pay for. She asked that things be done in moderation. Mrs. Cappiello really wishes that you (the Board) take the time to think before you act. The roads are being overtaxed because of major construction. The Town will have many new houses which will account for more traffic. Just try to get out of my (Mrs. Cappiello’s) driveway between 7:00 and 9:30 a.m. The Town has too many taxes.

Attorney Pott stated that the point about thinking ahead was well taken. The water contract with the Town of Glenville was extended because of a low interest loan for Water District Extension #12. The three year escape clause was taken out of the contract because the Town had to show that it had a source of water until the low interest loan for the construction of Water District Extension #12 had been paid off. Also the Town of Glenville raised the ad valorem tax this year.

Mrs. Cappiello feels that the eminent domain process used to get easements for the Saratoga County Water System is being abused.

Attorney Pott replied that eminent domain has to be that way.

Supervisor Callanan said that the State gave the plan for AMD and said that AMD has until 2009 to decide.

Attorney Pott stated that the Town is going to have quite a few new houses and will need the water.

Mrs. Cappiello stated that she went to Ireland recently, and they are developing and building as we are. She thinks there should be a limit on building. Mrs. Cappiello also stated that the roundabouts are the worse thing.

Arnold Palmer said he asked the Board to wait and think about all that is happening. He stated his assessment didn’t go up. Why do people pay so much for houses? It’s sending the rest of us out of the area.

Clifford Samson thanked the Town Board for supporting the Farmers Market. He also thanked the Board for supporting a very successful Farm Tour.

Scott Miller stated that he feels the Open Space in the County Budget has been underfunded. He said Mr. Curtiss has applied for a grant. The grants are using up all of the County funds so less applicants are being approved.

The following items are being presented for discussion and action.

07-116: A motion was made by Harold Townley and seconded by Robert Boice that the 2008 Town Budget be approved. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

The hospitalization plan with MVP is up for renewal at this time. By raising the co-pay to $25.00 per visit, the Town can save approximately $20,000. on the premium cost. The Town Board agreed this would be a good savings.

07-117: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Mary Beth Hynes to approve the Hospitalization Renewal of MVP Co-pay 25 for 2008. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

The Town has a proposed map of the Ballston Lake Overlay District boundaries. A public hearing has to be set on these proposed boundaries.

07-118: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley to set a public hearing on the proposed boundaries of the Ballston Lake Overlay District for November 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

07-119: A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by Harold Townley to authorize a Defensive Driving Class for November 20, 2007 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. without charge to Town Employees and open to the public for a fee of approximately $30 - $35 (fee determined by number of people taking the course). Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

The Town is planning to purchase an asphalt grinder along with the Towns of Charlton and Malta. They are looking to get a grant to fund that purchase.

07-120: A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by Harold Townley to authorize the participation in a Shared Municipal Services Grant with the Towns of Charlton and Malta for an asphalt grinder in the amount of $96,500. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

07-121: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley to authorize a Statutory Installment bond for the Blue Barns Road Water District (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Water District No. 2, Ext. #13) for ten (10) years at 4.4% interest with the Ballston Spa National Bank. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

07-122: A motion was made by Harold Townley and seconded by Robert Boice to approve the Letter of Understanding with the Village of Round Lake, extending the Contract for Fire Protection District No. 2 for one (1) year at a cost of $18,600. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

07-123: A motion was made by Mary Beth Hynes and seconded by Harold Townley to accept the 2008 Saratoga County Sales Tax in cash. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

Due to the retirement of Library Director, Anna Jane Abaray, there is a vacancy in that position. The name of Karen D’Angelo has been recommended to fill that vacancy. Councilwoman Hynes thanked the Search Committee for the good job they did.

07-124: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley to appoint Karen D’Angelo as Library Director effective November 12, 2007 at a salary of $46,584.00. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

The Town has a proposed Emergency Operation Plan for the Town of Ballston. A public hearing has to be held on this proposed Plan.

07-125: A motion was made by Harold Townley and seconded by Robert Boice to set a public hearing on the proposed Emergency Operation Plan for the Town of Ballston for November 27, 2007 at 7:15 p.m. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

The roads in Phase I of Chapel Hill, East Line Farms Subdivision have been presented for dedication to the Town.

07-126: A motion was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley to accept the following resolution accepting the deed to Knottingley Place and Chapel Hill Boulevard located in Phase I of the East Line Farms Subdivision for dedication. Roll Call: Ayes – all; Noes – none. Carried.

WHEREAS, certain parcels of land off East Line Road have been offered for dedication to the Town of Ballston for highway purposes by Joseph Lucarelli, President of Traditional Builders, Ltd., the owner of said land as shown on a plan prepared by Gilbert VanGuilder Land Surveyor, PLLC, dated June 4, 2004, last revised July 12, 2006, and filed in the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office on July 18, 2006, as

Map No. E 173 A – E REV, and

WHEREAS, the Highway Superintendent of the Town of Ballston had recommended acceptance of said parcel for dedication for highway purposes, upon the completion of construction of said roadway in accordance with Town specification and the filing with the Town of Ballston a performance bond and/or letter of credit to be provided in the amount of $58,961.00 to guarantee any maintenance and repairs required to said roadway by the Town for a period of one year after said road is constructed and accepted by the Town, and

WHEREAS, the Town Board of the Town of Ballston on November 8, 2007 has approved said dedication subject to said conditions and approval of title by the Town Attorney, and

WHEREAS, said letter of credit has been filed and the Highway Superintendent has indicated road construction has been completed to his satisfaction, and

WHEREAS, a policy of title insurance relating thereto, has been ordered,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Town Board of the Town of Ballston in regular session duly convened that upon notification from the Town Attorney that the insurance policy has been issued, the Town Board agrees to accept the deed of dedication for the said roads to be known as Knottingley Place and Chapel Hill Boulevard, located in Phase I of the East Line Farms Subdivision, and directs the Town Clerk to record the same in the Saratoga County Clerk’s Office.

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by James Briaddy and seconded by Harold Townley. Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Muriel K. Swatling

Town Clerk