VILLAGE OF ALTAMONT
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
December 5, 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; Dan Madison, Chief AFD; Paul Miller, Elected Chief AFD; Members of AFD; Approximately 20 guests.
Mayor Gaughan opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Keith Lee, Co-chairman of Maple Avenue Parks reports that the committee prepared an annual report that has been made available to the Board and the public.
Robert Casey, President of Altamont Rescue Squad, is acknowledged who in turn introduces and thanks Judith Freeman, member of the squad.
AFD Chief Paul Miller reports a quiet month with only one call in Guilderland Center. The new fire truck is delivered and soon to be placed in service.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried to accept the Treasurer’s report with the inclusion of $3,000 for inspection of the Crounse Property. Roll Call: All in favor.
Kate Provencher addressed the board as opposed to an item on the agenda regarding a request for water from Bill and Andrea Gizzi’s.
Norman Bauman announced a meeting on December 16 at 11:00 am for the Neighborhood Watch Committee who has enlisted 13/14 block captains that will begin a process of introducing themselves to neighborhoods and seeking helpful information. Chairman Bauman thanks Commissioner Salerno and Officer Patrick Thomas.
Consider resolution “Intend to be Lead Agency” (See back of Agenda)
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to accept the Mayor’s appointment of Stewart Linendoll to Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Claude Moyse ( 2008) and Danny J. Ramirez as Alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Stewart Linendoll. (2008) Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried to hold a Public Hearing for January 16, 2007 at 8 PM at the Village Hall, 115 Main Street, Altamont, New York to consider renewal of the cable television franchise held by Time Warner Entertainment Advance Newhouse Partnership (hereinafter "Time Warner Cable"). The purpose of the hearing is to consider a Franchise Renewal Agreement which would renew Time Warner Cable's cable television franchise for an additional 10 years, and bring the franchise into conformity with certain provisions of the Federal Cable Communications Policy Act of 1984, as amended.
Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to hold a Public Hearing for January 16, 2007 at 8:15 pm at Village Hall, 115 Main Street, Altamont, New York to consider the proposed Village of Altamont Comprehensive Plan. The purpose of the hearing is to solicit public comments prior to the Board considering adoption of the Plan. Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Dineen and carried to enter into contract with Barton & Loguidice, P.C. per proposal dated December 1, 2006 for services related to the evaluation of the village water supply system to address the recent elevated lead and copper levels, as noted by the Albany County Department of Health. Fee for Services is $5,500. Roll Call: All in favor
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos authorizing a letter to Bill and Andrea Gizzi, 6396 Gun Club Road, for absolute approval for village water, upon request, when the supplemental ground water project is complete. Roll Call: All in favor.
Public Hearing
Trustee Whalen introduces the following members of the Comprehensive Planning Committee: Steve Parachini, Planning Board Chairman; Kate Provencher, ZBA member; Tim McIntyre, Supt. DPW; Harvey Vlahos, Trustee; Kristen Casey, ACT representative; John Smith, village resident; Don Cropsey, Building Inspector and Nan Stoltenberg, Professional Planner. Trustee Whalen continued narrating the developing process of the plan.
Trustee Aylward recognized the budgetary impact of the plan. Trustee Vlahos referred to the plan as a blueprint that the Board of Trustees would examine, prioritize, determine cost and consider budget revenues over a period of perhaps ten years.
Mike La Mountain, Maple Avenue, stated concerns over proposed rezoning to allow for Bed and Breakfast businesses. Will residents have additional time to comment prior to adoption?
Stewart Linendoll refers to specific sections of the plan and affirms the need for sidewalks along Park Street that is not included in the plan; Mr. Linendoll expresses concerns for the dangerous traffic pattern surrounding the post office; crosswalk enforcement; near-by development; businesses and zoning on Park Street.
Ken Romanski, developer, asks for clarification on the plan’s “community character” for new developments. Trustee Whalen, Trustee Vlahos, and committee members responded with similar views as follows: developments that blend with the suburban character that now exists; developments that are more village like; narrow roads; sidewalks; landscaping; mix of architecture as opposed to the same style home repeated over and over; contemporary homes with a Victorian feel; diversified housing and cost range balance. Trustee Vlahos suggests the New Urbanist.com web site as one resource for building sample designs.
Mayor says that individuals have one month to continue a review of the comprehensive plan prior to another public hearing on January 16, 2007 and ample opportunities in between to address issues and concerns with committee members.
Ron Ginsberg refers to “noise, air and light pollution” What are the criteria for ordinances and regulations on this subject and when will it occur? Trustee Whalen says that the ordinance process is being discussed currently and requires new local laws.
Trustee Aylward inquired about “grey” water. Trustee Whalen reports that this is a water conservation project that involves dealing with the environment on a personal level. State government is the guiding light by broaching the subject with municipalities as one project that has an impact on the environment. This is a huge undertaking involving the reclaiming of grey water through a separate lead from individual houses. The comprehensive plan is a 10 year plan that must identify priorities and take cost into consideration.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried to close the hearing.
Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Whalen continues with a brief background in this the first of two Public Hearings that are required prior to final adoption by the Board of Trustees as well as a resolution for the board’s consideration to lead agency in the process, (SEQR), as follows:
Resolution of the Village of Altamont Board of Trustees
Intent to be Lead Agency
Adoption of Village Comprehensive Plan
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has duly appointed a committee to draft a new comprehensive plan for the Village of Altamont; and
WHEREAS, the committee has drafted this plan and it is ready for public review; and
WHEREAS, the proposed action has been determined to be a Type I action, pursuant to the New York State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) 6 NYCRR Part 617.
WHEREAS, the proposed action will not require permits and approvals from any other local, regional and State agencies prior to adoption of the plan; and
WHEREAS, the Albany County Planning Board is required to review and approve the draft plan pursuant to the applicable standards of New York State General Municipal Law 2390m but this approval is considered an advisory opinion under SEQR and the agency is not considered to be eligible for lead agency status in this action.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, pursuant to the applicable standards of SEQR 6 NYCRR Part 617, the Village of Altamont Board of Trustees concludes that it is the appropriate agency to serve as, and declares itself lead agency for the environmental review of the proposed Type I action; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Village of Altamont Board of Trustees hereby authorizes development and circulation of a copy of the EAF pursuant to the requirements set forth in SEQR 6 NYCRR Part 617.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried approving the resolution.
Trustee Whalen In favor
Trustee Vlahos In favor
Trustee Aylward In favor
Trustee Dineen In favor
Mayor Gaughan In favor
Motion carried 5/0
The board discussed briefly forwarding correspondence to the attention of the Governor, Senators, Assemblymen, Commissioner of Elections, that the Village of Altamont favors and urges the Albany County Board of Elections to purchase precinct-counted paper ballot optical scan PBOS voting machines to replace lever voting machines for elections. Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to table the item and invite the Albany County Commissioners of Elections to the January 16, 2007 Board Meeting. All in favor.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to hire full time laborer Michael Smith (40 hrs.)@ $12.65 per hour effective December 6, 2006 per recommendation of Tim McIntyre.
Roll Call: All in favor.
Trustee Whalen made a motion seconded by Trustee Aylward and carried for the Village of Altamont to enter into a shared services agreement with the Town of Guilderland, commencing January 1, 2007, at the rate of $3,000 per annum for staff services of Linda Cure for 4 hours per week to design, coordinate and promote special summer events and programs at Orsini and Bozenkill Park, weekly farmers’ market, and administering senior grants’ activities and programs.
Trustee Vlahos made a motion seconded by Trustee Whalen and carried approving funds of up to $45,000 payment to National Grid for three phase power service for well site. Roll Call: All in favor
Next scheduled Board meeting is January 16, 2007.
Trustee Aylward made a motion seconded by Trustee Vlahos and carried to adjourn at 9:00 pm.
All in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Jean La Crosse
Clerk
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