Regular Meeting—April 9, 2008

            The meeting was called to order at 7:30 PM following the public hearing on the 2008-2009 Village Budget.  Present were Mayor Mahoney, Trustees Pascucci, Rocque and VanDervoort, Attorney Varley, Treasurer VanDervoort, Clerk O’Brien, Deputy Clerk Koblensky, Fire Chiefs John Fairclough, Jason Rocque, and Brian Wright; also Craig Falcone, John Porcello, Cheri Peaslee and Jim O’Brien.  Trustee Kelts was absent due to illness.

            Trustee Rocque moved to waive reading the minutes from the previous meetings.  Trustee VanDervoort seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

            Trustee Pascucci—The wooden pirate ship will be removed and a new piece of equipment will be placed in the 4^th St. playground as soon as possible.  I have been meeting with the Waterford  Youth Council but have nothing to report at this time.

            Trustee VanDervoort—The Fire Dept. answered 7 alarms during March, and weekly equipment checks and training are on-going.  There will be 3 canal clean-sweep events held in Waterford on Sat., April 19.  Lunch will be provided for the workers.  Heritage Day will be Aug. 8 and 9, including a muster and Button pumper competition.

            Trustee Rocque—The public works director reports that work has been done during March on street repairs, canal trail cleanup, the Lawrence St. project, and collection of lawn and leaf bags.  Credit is given to the park maintenance team, the crew from Mt. McGregor, and the Town highway dept. for their great job of cleaning the canal trail above the 4^th St. park.  A notice will be delivered door to door to explain the schedule for leaf pickup during the rest of the season.

            Trustee Kelts—The village is being assisted by Mary Ann Kelts with the arrangements for Canalfest this year.

            The financial report for March is as follows:  Checking Acct., $86,070.46; Money Mkt. Acct., $140,231.45, for a total general fund balance of $226,301.91.  Special Projects Fund balance, $18,899.34; utilities, $6,801.19; payrolls, $7,362.39; Section 8, $27,777.10.

            The General Fund abstract is in the amount of $46,578.69.  Trustee Rocque moved to pay these bills upon the approval of department heads and the village board.  Trustee VanDervoort seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

            Mayor Mahoney announced that NYSDOT has notified him that a new loop is being added to the traffic signal at 6^th and Broad Sts.   The Town of Waterford zoning board has officially notified the village that they will be acting as lead agency in the proposed construction of 3 four-unit apartment buildings at the end of Mercer St., which is in the town.  The members of the Village Board have been invited to march in the annual Memorial Day parade on Wed., May 21.

            Trustee Rocque offered Resolution #      authorizing the mayor to sign a contract with NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historical Preservation re the 2^nd St. Streetscape Project.  Trustee VanDervoort offered the second; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Rocque offered Resolution #      to introduce a change in the zoning appeal procedure and call for a public hearing on the subject at 7:15PM on May 14^th.  Trustee Pascucci offered the second; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            The following appointments were made by the mayor and accepted by all members of the Village Board:  Planning Board:  Chris Callaghan, 5 years, ending 2013; John Porcello, 1 year, ending 2009.  Zoning Board of Appeals:  Michael Marchese, 5 years, ending 2013; AnneMarie Morrissey, 1 year, ending 2009.  Consolidated Board of Health, Ted Pascucci to replace the late James Murphy.   All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee VanDervoort offered Resolution #      to appoint John Fairclough as fire chief, Jason Rocque, first assistant chief, and Brian Wright, second assistant chief.  Trustee Pascucci offered the second; all Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Rocque offered Resolution #       to make the following budget transfers:  $365. to A7145.4 from A7270.4; $290 to A1330.4 from A1990.4; and $1,077 to A8010.4 from A1990.4.  The second was offered by Trustee Pascucci.  All Trustees and Mayor Mahoney voted Yes.

            Trustee Rocque offered Resolution #       to accept the  proposed budget for 2008-2009, which raises the tax rate in the Village to $137.35, a 2.68 % increase over last year.  Trustee VanDervoort offered the second; all Trustees voted Yes.  The board also voted to continue a Capital Fund for Streetscape and Old Champlain Canal Walking Trail.

            Jim O’Brien requested that the village DPW put a more substantial sign in front of 5 Division St. to prevent trucks and school busses from driving across the grass and sidewalk.

            Craig Falcone announced that a verbal bid of $990 has been received for installing the new piece of playground equipment in the 4^th St. park.  This amount includes any supplies necessary to do the job.

            The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 PM.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Nancy P. O’Brien, Village Clerk