Regular Meeting—October 8, 2003

            The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Mayor J. Bert Mahoney.  Following the Pledge of Allegiance, the roll call indicated all trustees to be present.  Also attending were Attorney Varley, Treasurer Gorham, Clerk O’Brien, George Bush, Brenda Fletcher, Dom Gragnano, Jim O’Brien, and reporter Phil Vanno.

           Trustee Kelts moved to waive reading the minutes from the Sept. meeting and accept them as written.  Trustee Rocque seconded that motion and all voted in favor.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

            Trustee Pascucci—The skateboard park committee has decided to request $75,000 be added to the 2004 Town of Waterford budget for construction of a park at one end of the Garrett Field tennis courts.  An engineer will be hired to begin plans. Also, the Youth Council’s very successful summer program ended on a positive note—they stayed within their budget.

            Trustee VanDervoort—The Director of Public Works reported spending 39 hours during Sept. attending to his various duties.  His complete report is available from the Village Clerk.

            Trustee Rocque—The Waterford Fire Dept. answered a total of four emergency alarms during Sept. On Sept. 10 the department took part in a Preplan and Evacuation exercise at the Ahana House, 31 Sixth St.  Weekly equipment checks and training are on-going.  Fire Prevention Week festivities are being held tonight at the Ford Hose Co.  The complete report is available from the Village Clerk.

            Trustee Kelts—The Great Village Sell-out went very well, in spite of bad weather on Sunday.  Special thanks go to Jean and Andy Lavigne and Craig Falcone for all of their assistance in making this event a success.

            The financial report for the month of Sept. was as follows:  Checking Acct. Bal, $50,583.21; Money Market Acct. Bal., $317,582.95, for a total cash balance of $368,166.16.  The balance in the Special Projects Fund is $51,278.57; unaudited utilities, $2,956.50; payrolls, $5,217.60; Section 8, $21,275.93.  There are no budget transfers.

            The General Fund abstract to be approved is for $22,088.65.  The Special Projects Fund abstract is for $2,079.11.  Trustee Kelts moved to pay these bills upon approval of the department heads and the Village Board.  Trustee Rocque seconded and all voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney reported on a meeting which he and Trustee Rocque held with representatives of River St. Planning and the Chazen engineering firm to discuss plans for implementing the Streetscape grant.  A committee will be appointed later this month to oversee the work to be included.

            The Peebles Island Bridge is almost complete.  Opening ceremonies will be in early November.   The 9^th St. Bridge will not be completed until next June, due to more steel work needed than was originally planned.  Paving on the temporary bridge will be done some evening at the end of Oct.

            Mayor Mahoney expressed his thanks to the trustees for their participation in reading the names on the Vietnam Wall when the exhibit was in Cohoes.

            Trustee Kelts offered a Resolution (#      ) changing the date of the Dec. meeting from Dec. 10 to Dec. 17, due to the mayor’s vacation schedule.  Trustee Rocque offered the second.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Rocque offered a Resolution (#      ) authorizing the mayor to sign a contract  with NY State accepting the $164,000 matching grant for streetscape improvements in the area between Broad St. and the canal on First, Second, Third, and Fourth Streets.  Actual work will probably begin in April, 2004.  Trustee Kelts offered the second.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Kelts offered a Resolution (#      ) setting a public hearing on Nov. 12 at 7PM on a proposed local law to erect a permanent stop sign at the intersection of 7^th St. and Pine St.  The second was offered by Trustee Pascucci.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Rocque offered a Resolution (#      ) prepared by Attorney Varley, requesting NY State to conduct a traffic survey at the intersection of Third St., (NYRoute 4), and Division St. and make recommendations on ways to improve safe pedestrian crossing of  Third St.  The second was offered by Trustee Kelts; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            When Mayor Mahoney asked if anyone in the audience wanted to address the board, Mr. Gragnano, of Front St., inquired how much longer it would take for Niagara Mohawk to finish trimming the trees next to his property, where electrical wires are running through the branches.  He was advised that it was on Niagara Mohawk’s schedule to be done as soon as possible but no definite date could be given.

            As there was no further business to be transacted, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50PM.                     

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                           Nancy P. O’Brien, Village Clerk