VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
October 3, 2006
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. DPW; Building Inspector, Donald F. Cropsey, Jr.; Commissioner Anthony Salerno; Approximately 11 guests.
Mayor Gaughan called the meeting to order and continued with Committee Reports.
Trustee Whalen presented his Comprehensive Planning Committee report detailing the activities of the committee during September. The content of the draft is finalized and close to completion. The draft plan will initially be presented to the Board in an open meeting for review and questions and at a separate hearing available to the public for comment. Following revisions, the plan will be submitted to the board for adoption, to Albany County Planning Board for review and approval, SEQR process, Public Hearing and official adoption of the Plan by the Board of Trustees. These steps must be completed prior to amendment of Sub-Division and Zoning regulations.
Keith Lee, co-chairman, reported for Maple Avenue Park Committee that on September 13 ground was broken to construct the support poles for the park shelter. Excavation is to begin this week to pour the base for the shelter. Mr. Lee thanks Carl Shilling, team of volunteers and Tim McIntyre.
Trustee Dineen reported that the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce has tickets available for the “Pigtacular” auction to be held October 12 at the Albany Country Club. Altamont Free Library’s “Hamlet” won first place and Altamont Fire Department’s “Ember” finished in the top twelve. These works of art will be featured in the Chamber’s calendar. In answer to a question from Trustee Vlahos, Trustee Dineen reports that plans to form a business association in Altamont will continue this fall.
Mayor Gaughan reports that the village is currently debt free and thanks Treasurer Catherine Hasbrouck for her direction. Our rating is A++ in the bond market. Mayor Gaughan will present John Finn, longest living recipient of a World War II Congressional Medal of Honor, with a Proclamation honoring his service to the country when he visits the Home Front Café on Wednesday, October 4. The Mayor reports that the village began a new program this summer with the assignment of part-time police officers to public events in the village. Commissioner Salerno is thanked for his part in receiving $585 for the assignment of our officers for the Irish Fest. The street banners will be removed for the winter months. Negotiations will continue for a bigger and better farmer’s market next year.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried to accept the Treasurer’s report for October 2006. Roll Call: All in favor.
Tim McIntyre reported that Public Works would be collecting bags and brush on Tuesdays and Fridays. Water main flushing is also ongoing.
There was no Public Comment.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to appoint Stephen Ritzki to membership in the Altamont Fire Department as recommendation by Chief Dan Madison.
Roll Call: All in favor.
The Board discussed the Police Standard Operating Procedures Manual.
Trustee Aylward inquired about bullet proof vests. Commissioner Salerno replied that he applied for a federal grant to cover partial or full cost of the vests that is approximately $600-$800 per person. Some officers have their own vests.
Trustee Aylward stated that he did not find the police department’s relationship to the school in the manual. Commissioner Salerno said there is one policy in place in Guilderland relating to the school district therefore we follow their policy. According the Commissioner Salerno, the Standard Operating Procedures are similar to Guilderland’s so as not to have conflicting policies.
Trustee Aylward asks how the subject of sexual predators is handled. Commissioner Salerno states that he follows the guidelines of the Department of Criminal Justice. If an incident occurs in the village the guidelines at the State level will be followed. The officers receive training in order to address these matters.
Trustee Vlahos suggests that the manual should be reviewed more thoroughly for another month before approving.
Trustee Whalen states that he has not had the opportunity to review the document and suggests approving the plan provisionally and continue to review over the next month.
Trustee Dineen states that the manual has been available for sometime and approval already delayed for one month. She received an orientation on the manual and how to access the material in case Commissioner Salerno is not available.
Commissioner Salerno speaks on future growth and leaving the village negligent by not approving the manual. This is a format that is nationally recognized and every other municipality in this country follows. When hired, there was no SOP which Commissioner Salerno says is disgraceful.
Trustee Vlahos feels there are issues that need to be addressed such as the handling of seized funds, powers of the Commissioner and off-duty employment.
Commissioner Salerno says the seized funds must be specified as to their use under federal court mandate. The village treasurer would oversee these funds. Everything is accounted for.
Mayor Gaughan says the manual was put together that mimics and follows the national standards and the same terminologies exist in our neighboring town police department and other agencies throughout the county.
Mayor Gaughan understands having qualitative discussions. However he cautions the Board regarding raising issues and vetting carefully before giving opinions that may not be correct.
Trustee Vlahos comments on the inconvenience of availability to the manual and time to review the lengthy document before approving.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen to further review the document for consideration on the November Agenda.
Trustee Whalen; Opposed;
Trustee Vlahos; In favor;
Trustee Aylward, Opposed;
Trustee Dineen, Opposed;
Mayor Gaughan Opposed.
Motion defeated. 4/1
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to provisionally accept the current document allowing for continued vetting of conflicts to bring to the Board for amendment within a month.
Trustee Whalen In favor
Trustee Vlahos Opposed
Trustee Aylward In favor
Trustee Dineen In favor
Mayor Gaughan In favor
Motion Carried 4/1
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to accept recommendation of Barton and Loguidice PC of bid award for Brandle Road Well Site and Transmission Main improvements:
Well Site General Construction: Iota Construction Corp. $ 246,091.00
Well Site Electrical Construction: Stilsing Electric, Inc. $ 131,950.00
Water Main Construction: Highlander Construction, Inc. $ 548,627.00
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to establish a Water Improvement Reserve Fund for the purpose of transferring water impact fees, which shall be used to help defray the cost of the Water System Facility Plan for which Serial Bonds in the amount of $1,400,000 have been authorized. The resolution of the Board is subject to a permissive referendum as provided in Article 9 of the Village Law. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried authorizing funds up to $500 for a structural engineer to evaluate the Crounse house. Roll Call: All in favor
Building Inspector Donald F. Cropsey, Jr. reported that he was unaware of any preparation for winterizing the Crounse property although the barn roofs leak. The Zoning Board of Appeals, on September 26, approved C.M .Fox Realty to occupy the Stevens and Darling building on Maple Avenue and Prestige Photo Studio in the former ECCO Video building also on Maple Avenue. The Park Street Senior project is moving along nicely. Siding and utilities are nearly complete.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to appoint Jean La Crosse provisional Deputy Court Clerk for a term to expire April 2007. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to refund community room rental fee of $150 to Mary Vedder due to scheduling conflict. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Aylward seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to hold a Halloween Party in the Community Room Tuesday, October 31, 2006 commencing with a parade from Orsini Park at 6 pm. Village Police Department, Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary will participate. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to enter into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues. All in favor.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to accept the resignation of part-time police officer Joshua Davenport effective September 22, 2006. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to exit Executive Session.
All in favor.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to enter into Regular Session. All in favor.
Trustee Dineen made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to adjourn at 8:45 pm.
All in favor
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean La Crosse
Clerk
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