A regular Meeting of the Town Board of Guilderland was held at the Town Hall, Route 20 McCormick's Corners, Guilderland, NY, on the above date at 7:30 pm. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Roll call by Rosemary Centi, Town Clerk, showed the following to be present:
Councilman Ricard
Councilwoman Slavick
Councilman Bosworth
Councilman Pastore
Supervisor Runion
ALSO PRESENT: Dennis Fenney, Associate Town Attorney
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Supervisor Runion welcomed everyone to the evening’s meeting and asked for a motion approving the minutes of the April 4, 2006 town board meeting.
MOTION # 97 Councilman Bosworth moved to APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 4, 2006 TOWN BOARD MEETING. Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
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PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD – No public comment
Deputy Town Clerks Anna Russo and Dorothy Lynch presented Town Clerk, Rosemary Centi, with her certification for having achieved the status of Registered Municipal Clerk for the State of New York.
Supervisor Runion explained that it in order to become certified there is period of time that you have to serve as town clerk and a number of courses that must be taken in order to achieve the status. There is also a continuing education program.
Town Clerk, Rosemary Centi, thanked her deputies and also the Board for their consideration and recognition.
AGENDA ITEMS:
Item #1 concerned a presentation by New Visions, the Association of Retarded Persons, for plans for a group home on 2 Maynes Avenue.
Mr. Andrew McKenzie presented information regarding the establishment of the group home. The home is scheduled to house three mentally retarded adult women.
Supervisor Runion asked if exterior changes to the house would be made.
Mr. McKenzie stated that there would be no changes made to the exterior. Mr. Laurence Alfred- Fuld, Assistant Executive Director of New Visions, stated that they were looking at the possibility of changes to the interior of the garage to provide more living space.
Supervisor Runion also asked if there would be group meetings held on site requiring parking.
Mr. McKenzie stated that there would not be planned meetings but that family members would be visiting and directors would come simply to look at the house.
Supervisor Runion asked about the number of staff.
Mr. McKenzie stated that during the most active part of the day there would be two on staff and at night there would be one.
There is also emergency support.
Supervisor Runion stated that the driveway would adequately hold four cars and this would meet the needs of the house.
Mr. McKenzie further stated that they try not to disturb the character of the neighborhood with vans and buses and that they have a maintenance crew of ten people that take care of the homes.
Councilwoman Slavick asked if there would be an age range and Mr. McKenzie stated that they only service adults 21 years and older. He further stated that they were lifetime homes and not a transient population.
She also asked if there would be a possibility of an increase in the number of residents.
Mr. McKenzie stated that there would not. He further explained that it would be contrary to their mission statement and philosophy.
Councilman Bosworth asked if they would require any building modifications at all.
Mr. Alfred-Fuld stated that there might be basic changes to the home with the possibility of converting the garage to living space.
Supervisor Runion stated that the function of the Board is to make a determination of saturation of group homes in the town.
This is not an issue and he welcomed them into the community.
Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Alfred-Fuld thanked the Board.
Item #2 on the agenda concerned scheduling a public hearing on request of Jeff Thomas to re-zone 12.93 acres of land located at 5060 Western Avenue (former Bavarian Chalet) from Local Business (LB) to multiple Residence (MR) for purpose of Senior Citizen Housing Project.
Mr. Thomas presented information regarding the need for senior housing, especially in the west end of town.
He described the site as ideal for a senior living community project with a number of natural and designed amenities.
Mr. Dominick Ranieri of Ranieri and Bossolini, architect of the project, presented.
(Design plan is available for viewing in the town clerk’s office)
Mr. Ranieri explained the concept design with the existing Bavarian Chalet being used as a mixed function building and community center for the residents. They would also like to dedicate a portion of the building for use as a senior center for the town.
They would also be requesting a variance for a set back requirement on the eastern portion of the property.
Supervisor Runion asked for the number of units proposed and the square footage of each.
Mr. Thomas stated that there would be 86 units and they would be approximately from 1280 sq.ft. up to 1680 sq. ft.
Supervisor Runion also asked about the cost per unit.
Mr. Thomas stated that they would be market rate.
Supervisor Runion asked what the market rate was and stated that in order for the Board to determine the re-zone, they should come up with a range of pricing for the units and the market rate.
Mr. Thomas stated that they would come back with a market rate.
Councilman Ricard asked if Mr. Thomas would be ok with any density changes that the Planning Board could require.
Mr. Thomas stated that the density would be about 7 units per acre. The larger density would allow them to dedicate part of the Chalet to the Town.
Councilwoman Slavick asked if any of the units were for rent and if any of the existing buildings would remain.
Mr. Thomas stated that all of the units were for sale and the only building on site that would remain would be the Chalet.
Supervisor Runion said, “I have read Jan’s memo and the town normally looks to hold the developer to 6 units per acre. However, the town doesn’t normally get anything in exchange for 6 units per acre.
In this situation that we will be talking about, the town will be receiving a substantial benefit in a Senior Citizen complex, which we need because we have outgrown the space at town hall.
We will be able to adequately address the programs and the needs of the Seniors now and in the future with a decent Senior Citizen complex, which the developer is proposing.
The second thing is that the town has a significant need for senior housing in town and while a number of projects have been started, none of them have been constructed. To go from 6 units to 6.65 or 7 units per acre is not a lot to give up in exchange for the benefits for the town and town residents as long as the market rates of the homes are not too high.
We are looking for affordable housing for the average senior citizen”.
He further stated that he felt they needed to keep an open mind on the density issue because of the benefits the town would be receiving for an additional one unit per acre.
Councilman Pastore stated that he echoed the Supervisor‘s comments and asked if there was an age restriction for the project.
Mr. Thomas stated that he wanted to make it a senior restricted property of age 55 and older.
Councilman Pastore asked if there would be transportation to and from the property.
Mr. Ranieri stated that there would be parking for the residents and also garages.
Councilman Pastore stated that this issue might be raised at planning and zoning boards. Transportation and traffic would be issues that would affect, in some degree, the question of density.
Mr. Thomas further stated that the Western Avenue entrance would be eliminated and moved to the French’s Mill Road side.
MOTION #98 Councilman Bosworth moved to SET A PUBLIC HEARING ON A REQUEST OF JEFF THOMAS TO RE-ZONE 12.93 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED AT 5060 WESTERN AVENUE (FORMER BAVARIAN CHALET) FROM LOCAL BUSINESS TO MULTIPLE RESIDENCE ON JUNE 6, 2006 AT 7:30 PM. Councilman Pastore seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
Supervisor Runion asked that they bring in some information regarding market value of the units and environmental impacts.
MOTION #99 Councilman Ricard moved to ADOPT A RESOUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO SUBMIT THREE GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDS FROM NYS DEPARTMETN OF PARKS FOR THE FOLLOWING:
a. $293,000 for renovation of bath house and pool apron at Tawasentha Park
b. $97,450 for creation of passive park surrounding former McKownville Reservoir property.
c. $105,100 for purchase of “Battle of Normanskill” property
Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
MOTION # 100 Councilwoman Slavick moved to APPROVE VARIOUS TRANSFERS AND RELEASE OF ESCROW FUNDS PURSUANT TO REQUEST OF DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT. Councilman Ricard seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
MOTION #101 Councilman Ricard moved to APPROVE AWARDING BID FOR PUMP CONTROL PANEL FOR REPAIRS TO SUZANNE LANE PUMP STATION PER REQUEST OF DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT TO SIEWERT EQUIPMENT CO., INC. Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
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MOTON # 102 Councilman Pastore moved to APPROVE APPOINTING PARTY MACHINE CUSTODIANS, CHARLES ARCOLANO AND ABEL PALMA, DEMOCRATS AND WILLIAM COOK AND MICHAEL HOTALING, REPUBLICANS AND PARTY REPRESENTATIVES JAMES BRUCE, REPUBLICAN AND THOMAS ROBERT, DEMOCRAT FOR 2006 PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTIONS. Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
Item #7 on the agenda concerned approving order and stipulation of settlement for two tax proceedings (4770 Western Avenue and 3905 Carman Road).
Supervisor Runion stated that both of these have appeared before the Supreme Court.
Dennis Feeney, Associate Town Attorney for litigation matters, stated that they had and the settlement had been reached between the parties and Carol Wysomski, Assessor.
Upon approval by the Town Board they will be submitted to the Judge.
MOTION #103 Councilwoman Slavick moved to APPROVE THE ORDER AND STIPULATION OF SETTLEMENT FOR TWO TAX PROCEEDINGS (4770 WESTERN AVENUE AND 3905 CARMAN ROAD). Councilman Ricard seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
Item #8 on the agenda concerned the appointment of Collin Gallup as Town Park Foreman.
Supervisor Runion stated that the Parks Department had been reorganized in 2004 and in an effort to create a structure similar to the structure in the Highway Department and the Water Department a recommendation was made to appoint a foreman.
Civil Service has approved the position and placed it in the exempt class.
MOTION #104 Councilman Bosworth moved to APPOINT COLIN GALLUP AS TOWN PARK FOREMAN. Councilman Ricard seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
MOTON #105 Councilman Bosworth moved to APPROVE OPERATION CARS AS SUBMITTED BY GUILDERLAND FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION. Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
MOTION #106 Councilwoman Slavick moved to APPROVE AUTHORIZING THE SUPERVISOR TO SIGN COLLECTOR’S WARRANTS FOR THE GUILDERLAND WATER DISTRICT. Councilman Ricard seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
Item #11 on the agenda concerned the approval of transfers.
Supervisor Runion stated that most of them dealt with new Comptroller requirements to set up revenue and appropriation codes for Homeland Security items. The town will be receiving State aid for various items.
A new line is also being established for continuing education for paramedics and for the RAD program.
MOTION #107 Councilwoman Slavick moved to APPROVE TRANSFERS AS SUBMITTED BY COMPTROLLER, JEAN STERLING. Councilman Ricard seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
MOTION #108 Councilman Bosworth moved to ADJOURN THE TOWN BOARD MEETING OF MAY 2 , 2006 AT 8:28 PM. Councilwoman Slavick seconded the motion and it was carried by the following roll call vote:
Councilman Ricard Aye
Councilwoman Slavick Aye
Councilman Bosworth Aye
Councilman Pastore Aye
Supervisor Runion Aye
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Centi, Town Clerk
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