May 14, 2003

            The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM by Mayor J. Bert Mahoney.  The roll was called following the Pledge of Allegiance.  All Trustees were present, as well as Attorney Varley, Treasurer Gorham, and Clerk O’Brien.  Also present were Merle Doud, Mark Polnak, Michael Faroni, Jack Riegert, Jack O’Hare, George LaMarche,  and Russell VanDervoort.

            Trustee Kelts moved to waive the reading of minutes from the previous regular meeting and special meetings and accept them as written.  His motion was seconded by Trustee Rocque.  All voted in favor.

            Trustee Pascucci—A 6 ft. merry-go-round has been ordered for the Fourth St. playground, and a park bench has been ordered for Knickerbocker Park.  Interviews for this summer’s playground counselors will be conducted by the Waterford Youth Council on May 19 and 20.

            Trustee Falcone—Fire lane signs for Steenburgh Ave. have been delivered and will go up this week.  Other requested signs have either been repaired or installed.

            Trustee Rocque—The Fire Dept. answered 15 emergency alarms during April.  Weekly training continues at all companies.  A complete report is available from the Village Clerk.  For the record, the following fire companies came to the assistance of the Waterford Fire Dept. during the Broad St. fire on April 28: Northside Fire, GE Silicone,  West Crescent, Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Mechanicville, Maplewood, Pleasantdale, Spiegletown, Schuyler Heights, Hemstreet Park, Hillcrest, and Vischer Ferry.  The Waterford Rescue Squad, John Ahern Rescue Squad, and Clifton Park-Halfmoon Rescue Squad provided EMS support.  Food and beverages were provided by Hannaford, Price Chopper, Mr. B’s Deli, Broad Street Café and Mobil Mart.

            Trustee Kelts—Canalfest was a great success and we’re anticipating that the second annual Fife and Drum Muster at the end of this month will also be successful.

            The financial report for the month of April is as follows:  Checking Acct. balance, $67,223.05; Money Market Acct., $143,628.65, for a total cash balance of $210,851.70.

Special Projects Fund balance, $46,037.76.  Unaudited utilities for April totaled $5,018.99; payrolls, $3,189.16; and Section 8, $22,663.54.

            The current abstract being presented is in the amount of $43,235.43.    Trustee Kelts moved to pay the bills upon approval of department heads and the Village Board. The second was offered by Trustee Rocque.  All voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney reported on the 9^th St. Bridge project.  The temporary bridge has been opened and appears to be perfectly safe, despite concerns to the contrary.  He also reported that the Board had met with all of the owners of the Broad St. buildings involved in the recent fire and an agreement has been reached involving cleanup of the site.

            Trustee Rocque offered a Resolution (#     ) calling for a Public Hearing on July 9 at 7PM to discuss the Village of Waterford Agency Plan for Section 8 housing.  Trustee Kelts seconded; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Budget transfers, totaling $20,011.00, were requested as follows:  $1,189. from Contingent Acct. to Village Board Contractual; $319. from Contingent Acct. to Treasurer Contractual; $1,963. from Contingent Acct. to Parks Contractual; $1,250. from State Aid to Snow & Salt; $7,802. from Federal Aid to Snow & Salt; $7,488. from Refuse & Garbage to Snow & Salt.

            Trustee Kelts offered Resolution (#    ) authorizing the above transfers; Trustee Rocque offered the second.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Kelts offered the Resolution (#   ) to adopt the so-called “Pooper Scooper” Law.  The second was offered by Trustee Rocque; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Kelts offered a Resolution (#   ) approving a handicap parking sign to be installed at #4 Fourth St.  All paperwork is in order.  The second was offered by Trustee Rocque.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            The clerk read a letter of resignation from Russell VanDervoort as a member of the Planning Board.  Trustee Kelts moved to accept and Trustee Rocque seconded the motion.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney offered the appointment of Jon Matson to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board.  Trustee Kelts moved to approve the appointment and Trustee Rocque seconded the motion.  All voted Yes.

            The clerk read a letter of resignation from Craig Falcone as Village Trustee, effective immediately.  Trustee Kelts offered the Resolution (#    ) to accept, with regret.  Mayor Mahoney thanked Mr. Falcone for his many years of service to the village, followed by applause from the audience.  Trustee Rocque offered the second; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney then offered the appointment of Craig Falcone to the newly created position of Director of Public Works for the village, at an annual salary of $7,200.

Trustee Pascucci seconded the Resolution (#    ) of appointment.  All remaining Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney then offered the appointment of Russell VanDervoort, 42 Sixth St., to fill the vacancy on the Village Board.  Trustee Kelts seconded the Resolution (#   ) and all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.  The Clerk administered the oath of office to both of the new appointees.

            Mayor Mahoney appointed Trustee Raymond Rocque to serve as Deputy Mayor.

            A request was read from the owners of the new thrift shop at 52 Third St., asking for 1 parking spot in front of their building to be designated as 1-hour parking for shopping at their store.  Since this will require a public hearing, Trustee Kelts offered a Resolution (#    ) calling for a public hearing on June 11 at 7PM.  Trustee Pascucci offered the second; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Kelts offered a Resolution (#    ) stating that all debris from the April 28 fire on Broad St. will be removed, to the board’s satisfaction, by June 11, or the board will be forced to take further action.  Trustee Rocque offered the second.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Mayor Mahoney added that placques will be presented to each of the volunteer fire companies which assisted in putting out theBroad St. fire and official certificates will be presented to each of the Waterford firemen who fought that fire.

            Village Historian Merle Doud spoke briefly about “sign pollution” in both the village and town, and showed photos which he had taken illustrating his point.  He also distributed brochures describing the new canal byway routes.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:10PM.

 Respectfully submitted,                  

 Nancy P. O’Brien, Village Clerk