VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
March 6, 2007
Mayor James M. Gaughan
Trustee William F. Aylward
Trustee Kerry Dineen
Trustee Dean Whalen
Trustee Harvey C. Vlahos
7:30 pm
Attending: Attorney, E. Guy Roemer; Clerk, Jean La Crosse; Treasurer, Catherine Hasbrouck; Tim Mc Intyre, Public Works Supt.; Larry Adams, Jr.; Building Inspector, Donald F. Cropsey, Jr.; Commissioner Anthony Salerno; Chief Paul Miller, AFD; Justice Neil Taber; Approximately 25 guests.
Mayor Gaughan opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dean Whalen reported that the Comprehensive Planning Committee continues to meet weekly to review and edit the preliminary drafts of both the modified subdivision and new Zoning Regulations. The sub-division draft will be further edited by the Village Planner and passed on to the Village Attorney for review and comments. The Zoning Laws are in first draft stage and likely will mirror the Town of Guilderland’s policies edited to be appropriate for the Village and reflective of the Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Gaughan reported that the Farmer’s market will be moderately expanded this summer with the assistance of Guilderland shared services employee, Linda Cure. The Mayor and Ms. Cure will attend a free conference on March 8 in Syracuse to obtain useful information on this program. Trustee Aylward provided the Mayor with information from the USDA Grants Department for possible funding for the market. Linda Cure, as part of the shared services initiative, is working with Jean La Crosse to enhance programs for Altamont Senior Citizens. The Brandle Road water project developed a glitch concerning the Electrical Contractor who requested a 90 day extension for not getting the computer control box equipment for installation in the well-house. Their contract requires that they have substantially completed the work
by this week. Attorney Roemer will confer with the engineers regarding the terms of the contract to assess damages incurred due to the delay. The projected delay, if granted, would delay the project to April 19.
Chief Miller presented a written report to the Board. 111 individuals attended The Fireman’s Ball, not counting the firemen, with an additional 40 paid admissions.
Tim McIntyre reminded residents that the care of sidewalks is the homeowners’ responsibility. The Village plows wherever they can without damaging the machines but further clean up and de-icing needs to be completed by homeowners. The yearly inspection of the sewer plant was conducted and earned a satisfactory rating from DEC who indicated that the plant is very well maintained and well-run. Larry Adams, Jr. is recuperating very well from his injury.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to accept the Treasurer’s Report for March as entered into Board Minute Records. Roll Call: All in favor
Public Comment:
Norman Bauman reported that is no improvement with the postal delivery service in Altamont. He asks for assistance in resolving the continuing problems.
Trustee Vlahos addressed the Board on his decision not to run for Trustee for another term due to family and business obligations. He expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s process on several issues including Police Masson statement Neighborhood Watch, Police Standard Operating Procedures, Purchase of Banners, Personnel Policies, Traffic Report; Brandle Meadows negotiations, Trumpery settlement and Benefit Assessment. Trustee Vlahos commented on raising campaign funds for Village Elections. During the business portion of this meeting Trustee Vlahos will offer a resolution regarding campaign fund-raising for the Board’s consideration and asks that it be tabled for the new administration’s consideration at a later time.
Norman Bauman suggested Trustee Vlahos’s comments were poor politics.
Trustee Aylward inquires about abstaining from a proposed resolution. E. Guy Roemer states that it can result from a conflict of interest or not enough time to research the material.
Wayde Bush Brandle Road, as well as Justice Neil Taber, Altamont Blvd., offered thanks and appreciation to Trustee Vlahos for his service to the Village of Altamont.
8:00 PM – Public Hearing
E. Guy Roemer, Village Attorney, read the Legal Notice for the Public Hearing for March 6, 2007 at 8:00 pm on Local Law No. 2-2007 amending Local Law No. 4-2006 known as “The Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Altamont, Albany County, New York” to extend the moratorium on subdivision regulations for 3 months or to July 3, 2007.
Trustee Whalen reported that the extension would allow time to complete the Zoning and Planning Regulations part of the Comprehensive Plan. New York State Law requires that all land use regulations must be in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan which is why the committee initiated the original moratorium.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to close the Public Hearing.
Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried adopting Local Law No. 2-2007 amending Local Law No 4-2006 known as “The Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Altamont, Albany County, New York to extend the current moratorium on application for sub-division development to July 3, 2007 to allow for the completion of the Sub-division and Zoning Regulation as recommended by the adopted Comprehensive Plan. Roll Call: All in favor.
The Board considered the proposed water policy for the Village of Altamont prepared by Work Group: Superintendent of Public Works Tim McIntyre, Barton and Loguidice Engineer Richard Straut and Trustee Kerry Dineen.
Trustee Dineen made a motion to adopt Phase I of the Water Police as written. (Table Phase II for further discussion)
CONNECTIONS:
Outside Connections:
Current Single-family households and/or single family parcels, not including proposed subdivisions or future subdivisions, with property lines adjacent to our current water infrastructure will be allowed one connection to the Village water system.
- Water application, available at the Village Hall, must be filed with the Village Clerk.
- All connection fees, and tap-in fees, as outlined in our local water law, are applicable.
Inside Connections:
Residents within the village limits may connect to the Village Water system.
- Water application, available at Village Hall, must be filed with the Village Clerk.
- All connection fees, and tap-in fees, as outlined in our local water law, are applicable.
The motion was seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to conduct Budget Workshops in Court Room on March 20, 2007 commencing at 6:00 pm. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to conduct Organizational Meeting on April 17, 2007 in Community Room at 7:30 pm. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to conduct a Public Hearing on April 17, 2007 in Community Room at 8:00 p.m. prior to the adoption of the Village Budget.
Roll Call: All in favor.
The Board Minutes for February 6, 2007 were tabled.
Trustee Vlahos made a resolution and asked that it be tabled for the next Board’s consideration:
WHEREAS according to the survey conducted and formulated in the Comprehensive Plan, the residents of the Village of Altamont have expressed an interest in maintaining a sense of community and spirit of a small village, and
WHEREAS elections since the incorporation of the Village in 1890 have been traditionally conducted with campaigns ranging from $0 to approximately $500, and
WHEREAS campaigns over the last 100 years have not brought in outside money or professional firms, and
WHEREAS campaigns that spend considerably over those amounts tend to put at significant disadvantage the average residents who may seek office.
THEREFORE, be it resolved that any person seeking a place on the ballot be advised that it is legal to spend as much as they want and it is legal to work with professional firms, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that they be apprised of the historical funding and how conducting a campaign in that tradition would enhance the tradition and the character of the Village.
The Mayor asked that Trustee Vlahos provide the Board with copies of his resolution for consideration at the next village meeting.
Trustee Aylward, Trustee Whalen, Mayor Gaughan and Trustee Dineen offered thanks, appreciation and the best of luck to Trustee Vlahos for his service to the Village of Altamont.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to adjourn at 8:35 pm. Role Call: All in favor
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean La Crosse
Clerk
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