Town Board Meeting Sept. 8, 2026

Hague Town, NY · · More Hague Town, NY meetings · More New York meetings

Transcript

Download: Text · SRT
SOURCE TRANSCRIPT

This transcript is downloaded from the source you provided but we haven't reviewed it for accuracy. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record. You can also request an AI-transcription of the audio file with the button to the left.

These are YouTube's auto-generated captions, not a human transcript — expect occasional errors, especially with names and technical terms.
[1:31] Oh yeah.
[1:48] » Yeah. Okay.
[2:04] [cough] [clears throat]
[2:09] Thank you.
[2:20] Okay,
[2:23] [clears throat]
[2:31] [snorts]
[2:35] welcome [clears throat] to our time board meeting.
[2:42] I'll make that motion. >> Second. [clears throat]
[2:45] » All those in favor? I stand
[2:54] als
[3:01] One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[3:11] [clears throat]
[3:15] » At this time, like to have a moment of silence for Caroline
[3:21] and Ali, please. [clears throat]
[3:44] Thank you. Okay. At this time, I would like to
[3:50] welcome our guest offer privilege. Let it be noted. We will offer secondary
[3:57] [clears throat] privilege of the floor.
[4:02] Yes. [clears throat] Anyone like to speak at this time?
[4:08] Ginger. [clears throat]
[4:10] » Thank you. Um I wanted [clears throat] to bring up
[4:16] I wanted to bring up the conference from 2025 again. Um I brought up my past
[4:23] meetings. So when I go to the website and look at what it says, it actually
[4:31] says the primary goal is to seek a balance between the need to guide future
[4:36] growth with the need to preserve the characteristics that make a community
[4:40] unique and special for residents. Provide the vision and essential
[4:45] guidance. So a few actions that the town can
[4:49] undertake to make sure the implementation strategy is carried out
[4:53] include there are three things. Assigning a small group to serve as the
[4:59] 2025 comprehensive plan implementation committee. Assign a project manager that
[5:05] can organize a dedicated group of volunteers to steer the project
[5:09] implementation. Request material contributions. Manage
[5:14] grants and keep the town board informed. of potential grant opportunities. That's
[5:19] the first thing. The second is to establish the 2025 comprehensive plan
[5:25] update as a regular agenda item board meetings. The leader of the
[5:30] comprehensive plan implementation committee provides progress reports on a
[5:35] regular basis. And the third thing, and this is important because budgeting
[5:39] season is coming up, developing a special line item in the budget to meet
[5:44] the cash match requirements for [clears throat] grant. So, and then it
[5:49] also lists the um any signature project. So, um I think I asked last time if that
[5:59] committee had been appointed and you said it had not.
[6:04] Is that correct? I told you last time that not it's under
[6:09] consideration. >> Okay. So that was in July. So it still
[6:13] has the space. What I guess I'm asking what is the future of the comprehensive
[6:18] plan? [clears throat] Is there um is there a plan to um implement it?
[6:30] The town will be appointing the committee over the winter for our
[6:39] brand award. And my thought at this time is that we should
[6:45] sort of have that committee be more of a dual purpose uh committee
[6:51] when that committee [clears throat] does get appointed. You know, we you know, we
[6:54] just finished updating chapter 4 comprehensive plan.
[7:00] I think that the comprehensive [clears throat] plan and
[7:05] the current county zoning law might be slightly, but overall I think that we're
[7:12] in good shape. >> So the dual purp What would the dual
[7:17] purpose be? >> I'm just thinking that the committee
[7:21] sometimes if we starting too many meetings there. You know, we we just had
[7:25] a committee that helped with the comprehensive plan the updating of
[7:31] chapter 4 and just don't think that we're ready to
[7:35] start a new um new committee.
[7:41] » Okay. So, these eight priority projects, would that committee then decide which
[7:46] ones of those should move forward? I'm not trying to default. I'm just
[7:51] trying to understand because I think the comprehensive plan is very important in
[7:56] order to get grants. They um most grant um people that are
[8:01] organization and government that are giving grants, they want to see a solid
[8:06] comprehensive plan that also has aation process.
[8:12] » Yeah. I think that our comprehensive plan is solid at this time. And um
[8:18] did you have something to say? Um, would you be open?
[8:23] » I'm just saying that we we operate by raising our hands here. I heard you
[8:27] speak without raising your hand. No problem.
[8:30] » Um, I think that our comprehensive plan is solid and the very point of the LWRP
[8:37] is to help us more eligible us be more eligible for grants. And that
[8:42] committee is going to be identifying different projects, different things and
[8:48] trying to [clears throat] kind of help guide in the direction and the path that
[8:52] we want to see it go in. >> So the LW
[8:57] is is just for waterfront. Would that [clears throat] would include for
[9:00] instance this is that right? >> I mean I'm not a grand expert. I I think
[9:07] it certainly could. Um, I think it's it's a matter of footage from the lake
[9:12] back. I mean, in a town like ours, it potentially could include most of town.
[9:17] I think that's [clears throat] just a matter of
[9:20] » Okay. Thank you.
[9:31] » Are there any questions?
[9:42] Are there any plans to actually implement the comprehensive plan and any
[9:48] projects that are associated?
[9:54] you know that the town is proceeding with projects
[9:58] in a unprecedented aggressive approach and I think that
[10:05] what we're might be seeing is maybe some people aren't happy with the projects
[10:10] that have been selected. We're redoing the highway building. We got a grant to
[10:14] put a new salt shed up which helps the lake. We got an award from the Warren
[10:19] County Board of Supervisors for $150,000 in advance stand.
[10:27] Um, new bathrooms are under consideration, but fiscally speaking,
[10:32] the town is sort of at a point of trying to make wise choices and spend our money
[10:42] somewhat slowly and methodically and make sure that we're there are grants
[10:47] out there to help us with some of these bigger projects,
[10:50] um, then we're going to find them. as far as this PEG historical
[10:56] um library museum enhancement
[11:00] [clears throat] that or addition seems to be the topic
[11:06] of conversation. No
[11:09] » alone. >> Okay. This is something new that's come
[11:12] up in the past year. We don't put multi-million dollar additions on the
[11:18] down community center in the course of a year. We we just physically can't, you
[11:24] know, we we don't have a town tax here. We all benefit from that. There are 633
[11:30] towns in New York State. I said those before. We're one of 30 towns that
[11:34] doesn't have a town tax. You need to pay attention to our dollars. That's just
[11:38] kind of where my head is at. If there are grants that you want to identify
[11:43] that you can go after, please do so. I'll be happy to try to engage our grant
[11:49] writer [clears throat] and see if we can potentially, you know,
[11:53] come up with something that will work. But I I don't have a crystal ball. We're
[11:57] doing the best we can to move forward uh
[12:03] as quick as we can while being fiscally responsible.
[12:09] » Ginger, >> um I just wanted to clarify that um we
[12:12] weren't talking just one of the eight projects. So, we definitely weren't
[12:17] talking about that because we will be talking about that when um Jack gives
[12:22] his historical society committ or his um historian historical society report. So,
[12:28] we want to wait for that part of the meeting. So, this is really just looking
[12:32] at the eight priority projects that were identified as part of the plan and what
[12:39] how will they be selected, which ones to move forward with. I think we we are we
[12:45] have Could you read out those eight? I don't have any credit card.
[12:48] » Yeah, I'm happy to do that. >> The first one which I'm actually
[12:53] confused about is to do a feasibility study on beachside property which the
[13:00] town doesn't own. So >> if you could just let's not do a Q&A
[13:05] just if you could read the the >> Yeah, I'm not. So the second one is HEG
[13:10] historical museum expansion feasibility study. The third is HEG visitor center
[13:16] redevelopment. Four is h town highway garage
[13:21] renovation. Five is conduct housing needs assessment. Six is update zoning
[13:27] code and site plan review regulations. Seven is pay long-term management
[13:34] strategy. And eight is fun enhancements. I don't actually know. I do have a
[13:40] question. Are these in order of priority?
[13:43] No. Okay. So, you know, just, you know, off the top of my head, Ginger, by my
[13:48] count, we're going after four simultaneously,
[13:51] right? Visitor center, highway, garage, egg,
[13:57] and town park enhancements. So, we've got four out of the eight.
[14:02] That's That's pretty [music] good for your warm.
[14:05] » Okay. Well, congratulations. Great. >> Appreciate that.
[14:09] » Um, but going back to my original question or statement, shouldn't we be
[14:14] having regular reports and updates from the committee because that was what was
[14:18] recommend recommended? >> Just a suggestion. [clears throat]
[14:23] » Sure. At this time, it's not my recommendation to form a new committee,
[14:28] » but I'm one member of the town board. >> Okay. [snorts] Thank you.
[14:34] Um, anyone else?
[14:40] [cough] [clears throat]
[14:43] » I don't know if it's time to say whatever you want to say. You know, I
[14:48] just want to thank the town boys, Chad and
[14:54] for putting up the fence to make the people who work at the boat's life. So,
[15:00] I don't know how it where it came from. If they have it there, I don't know. But
[15:07] whoever made it possible, I just want to publicly say thank you.
[15:12] » The gate down, boys. >> You mean the gate at the launch?
[15:16] » Yeah. >> Okay.
[15:22] » Thank you, Patricia, for that. >> Who would you say responsible for that?
[15:27] Um, >> I think the highway superintendent might
[15:30] miss that. >> Thank you. [clears throat]
[15:36] » Okay. Um, anyone else at this time? >> All right. Moving on. Um, we have a
[15:43] motion to approve the September warrant $49,81.
[15:53] [clears throat] >> Second.
[15:54] » All those in favor? I [clears throat]
[15:59] next we have the general
[16:06] work motion to approve the minutes for the August 11, 2026 town board meeting.
[16:12] [clears throat] >> I'll make that motion.
[16:18] » I'll second it. All those in favor?
[16:23] my characters [clears throat]
[16:26] administrative. Um I will just say that my staff and I
[16:31] uh start [cough] this year 2027
[16:36] and we are actively making progress. Next building grounds and community
[16:42] center enhance
[16:47] council member Frasier is not here. Uh, I can tell you that we have a
[16:55] leak in the roof and we are having somebody come in to take a look at it
[17:01] and uh try to get that fixed as soon as we can.
[17:06] Next highway. That's um council member. Did you have any update for us for
[17:11] council member? No. [clears throat]
[17:15] » Moving on. Planning zoning and storm water. Council member Cher.
[17:20] [clears throat]
[17:25] » Oh, I apologize. Museum historian
[17:31] » the Historical Society board met today
[17:39] president and a number of board members are here tonight.
[17:48] Thank you, Jack. Um, do you want me to take that?
[17:53] I I [snorts] speak loudly. [clears throat]
[17:56] Okay. Um, so two things that we talk about today. Um, we in the courtroom, I
[18:05] don't know if you all have seen it, but we have these amazing six huge plaques
[18:09] about the history of pay that were professionally done for the bsentennial
[18:14] in 2007 at considerable expense in the town. And most people don't know that we
[18:21] have these or that they're there and they're they're fascinating. We're going
[18:25] to start publicizing them more. There's a sign on the door that says do not
[18:30] dance. And I would like the town board to um recommend or to actually decree I
[18:38] guess that that sign come down so that people can go into that room and look at
[18:43] the class
[18:48] that [cough] just be changed. Not everyone
[18:54] reported. I was going to ask what was the reason
[18:58] for do not enter when court is in session. Is that why?
[19:04] » No, but
[19:07] » so then a simple fix would be to say when court is in session.
[19:11] » Yeah, I think the receptionist can handle anybody want to enter that room.
[19:18] » Has anyone spoken to the judge? >> No, not yet. I mean
[19:25] » don't see any problem with it but just as a matter of process
[19:31] » the planning and zoning board they ask permission from the Josh
[19:37] » yes >> oh they do okay
[19:41] well thank you for taking care of that um okay so now getting back to the issue
[19:47] with this building actually um we can't do anything about
[19:54] adding on to the building or [snorts] expanding the museum until this building
[20:00] is brought up to code. And I I've brought this up before. This um building
[20:06] is not to code. In fact, we have an email
[20:10] from the county from 20 um 2006
[20:18] that says um
[20:26] when when the historical society at the time asked about adding on to building
[20:32] and the the person that answered said originally I had not realized how large
[20:37] the anticipation with the type of existing construction
[20:40] involved the building is already larger than is allowed under current New York
[20:45] state building code is not it's thus not possible feasible for an addition to be
[20:51] approved The only way it could be done would be
[20:54] for the entire building to be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system. So,
[20:59] this building does not have sprinkler [clears throat] system. And I've
[21:02] mentioned this before. I think it's a public safety issue. Um, we have large
[21:08] meetings in this room. We have a lot of exercise classes, book club, lots of
[21:12] people use this room. You've got all your staff back there. If there was a
[21:17] fire, it could be a real problem. Secondly, we have amazing artifacts from
[21:24] Brooklyn to show um that would fill up in flame. This is a Civil War drum that
[21:32] Mr. Clifton who started the Island Harbor
[21:36] um brought he was a drummer boy in a civil war and he brought this drum sav
[21:43] to fight and he was arrested or he was captured and in prison he escaped from
[21:49] it's a great story and um actually Jack has something to read about
[21:55] » Albert Graves joined the army about 1861 as a drummer He saw action. The wounded,
[22:04] captured by the Confederates and put into living prison. He was one of a
[22:10] hundred who funneled tunnel beneath a road and escaped. He returned to his
[22:17] regiment, got into some trouble with the commanding officer, and went AWOL.
[22:23] He walked back to Guilford, Vermont, and after changing his name to Albert
[22:30] Clifton. To prevent being found by the feds, he
[22:35] was taken under a load of hay to the vicinity of Bennington, Vermont. He
[22:41] lived a few years in Shoreham during which time he married and fathered two
[22:46] children. Before 1875 he came to H and was a guide in the Aderondex.
[22:54] He built the Island Harbor which [snorts] he ran until his death in 1903.
[23:01] » Okay, so just a little history lesson and I know it's a little long but this
[23:05] is just one of the many artifacts. We also have the town board minutes from
[23:12] 187 and after that they're in a vault which
[23:17] is not fireproof. Nothing in this building is fire. I would say that is a
[23:23] number one priority to have an engineering study done and I'm asking if
[23:29] perhaps this could be a budget consideration have an engineering study
[23:33] of this building done to understand what needs to be done to bring it up to I
[23:40] know is looking into grants and stuff for all that stuff you mentioned
[23:44] sprinkler system and the so what is being considered
[23:51] Okay, >> I'm looking into it. [clears throat]
[23:54] » Okay, I guess that's all we can ask for. Um,
[24:00] yeah. [clears throat] Okay. Well, hopefully nothing happens.
[24:06] [cough]
[24:15] » I'll [clears throat] just note that, you know, while I think it's important
[24:18] protect our all of our historical artifacts.
[24:23] No, I think when you start talking about an addition to the building and
[24:27] sprinkler system, I mean, it's it's not a foregone conclusion that the
[24:32] [clears throat] community wants addition to this building. I think that that
[24:38] unfortunately does need to be pointed out to this room that it is not a
[24:43] foregone conclusion. It's a community decision and we need to just keep that
[24:48] in the back of our head. And I know you're not asking for a addition at this
[24:53] time, but that's the direction we're sort of moving [clears throat] in. And
[24:57] you know, these are budgetary considerations,
[25:01] » right? But I do want to point out I'm separating them. I'm asking for a
[25:05] feasibility study of what needs to be done to bring this building up to code.
[25:09] That's completely separate from putting an addition on it. And I might also
[25:14] point out that we have paperwork that shows there was quite a lot of money
[25:19] appropriated by the town board for an addition and a museum back in the early
[25:25] 2000s. We don't actually know what happened to that money. I think it went
[25:28] back in the general fund. >> Mr.
[25:32] I was um going to say what Ginger just said that you know as a board
[25:39] we are much more concerned whether we get a museum or not about saving the
[25:44] artifacts of the families of pagan and justices and um I think in addition to
[25:50] all of that you have so much history in that
[25:54] um I'm surprised that [cough] it's not fireproof
[25:59] um but a sprinkler system system seems like
[26:02] I mean since that's typically a thing in public buildings [cough] it seems like
[26:07] that a good move to protect things you know
[26:12] museum
[26:16] okay
[26:19] [cough]
[26:24] um I was obviously in this building so I this system should be a priority and
[26:33] also I can probably saying that that vault needs updating for sure running
[26:40] airspace it must be in there um yeah
[26:50] » personnel [clears throat]
[26:54] the town is seeking to fill two open
[26:58] positions We have open
[27:02] on the planning board for alternate and also on the zoning board of appeals for
[27:08] an alternate. The planning board resulted in the resignation
[27:16] of Pam Peters. Pam has diligently served the town for quite a while and we thank
[27:24] her for her service to the church. And Jamie Jordan who
[27:31] was the alter for the planning board resigned and has applied for membership
[27:38] member. We will take action on both of those
[27:45] three action items [clears throat] in the rest of the meeting. So
[27:49] application should be submitted for alternates to the planning board and to
[27:55] the zoning board.
[28:00] [snorts] >> Thank you. Thank you.
[28:04] [clears throat] Okay. Um
[28:09] officer public hearings coming up.
[28:14] » Thank you. [clears throat] Recreation promotion from you. Council
[28:18] members. >> Um only thing I have to say is the open
[28:22] water swim was a great success. Um, we got a nice thank you from Chris
[28:27] Boat from the event director for the open water slide for thanking us um for
[28:33] contributing contributing [clears throat]
[28:35] sorry and uh our assistance with it. And that's all [clears throat] I have for
[28:40] that district.
[28:45] Um Diane and John are working on a budget
[28:51] um going into next year for the sewer, trying to tweak some, make some
[28:55] adjustments. Um other than that, Cape Cod Village,
[29:00] we're still working on getting that going with the ballards and
[29:08] um inspections. So, we have a few more things to wrap up
[29:12] there with the volumes, but we're
[29:18] trying to make some progress there. That's about it. Everything else is is
[29:23] more fine according to your John. >> Thank you for that. [clears throat]
[29:30] » Um, had already mentioned, thank you to the
[29:35] highway department for putting in the gate at the boat launch.
[29:42] They had a good season this year. Lifeguards were all done for the for the
[29:46] year. Lunch was still a little bit Friday 12:00 to 5:00. Saturday and
[29:52] Sunday 8 to 5. Anything else you want to add?
[29:58] » Nothing. We had people came to work. We had two life
[30:05] was nice, but one couldn't make it, the other one went good. So, I think it
[30:10] worked out well. I hope [clears throat] people will come back.
[30:12] » Thank you, F, for all your help. You did a great job. Um, we will be working on a
[30:17] loose problem. We'll figure something out for next year.
[30:23] And uh the only other thing I'd say is um when we talk about the budget is
[30:27] maybe we're looking for someone to help time
[30:31] season
[30:35] and helping him with his responsibilities right but we can talk
[30:39] about that another time that's all I have
[30:47] concern
[30:50] with national So about
[30:54] something that's going on right
[30:59] [laughter] here. We don't have to be out.
[31:06] » Now I'll just add on to that. We did get a a formal response from high level
[31:11] national leadership and she will be calling tomorrow
[31:16] staff and my understanding from the highway superintendent is they already
[31:21] had some of their professional tree experts out here sort
[31:26] of surveying the uh power lines. So it sounds as if we're moving in the right
[31:31] direction and more and I can get more of a definitive on that.
[31:37] more important. Thank you. Um, technology and
[31:44] communications. Uh, I have nothing at this time.
[31:50] School advisory committee. Council [clears throat] pass.
[31:54] » Thank you. As you know, in February, we applied to
[32:00] the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance for a special
[32:04] equalization to correct what we believe is to be a
[32:10] unfair division of the school taxes within the school district. We submitted
[32:16] additional information in um April and in May again. And then on
[32:24] August 11th, we submitted a urgent appeal to do something to affect this
[32:31] year's tax rate. On August 14th, 3 days later, we responsive for them and we
[32:40] were denied our application. The town believes the decision relied on
[32:45] a narrow calculation that failed completely to recognize a significant
[32:50] distortion in the tax base used to divide the taunder school taxes. On
[32:59] August 24th, we were only given 14 calendar days to reply. [clears throat]
[33:05] On August 24th, the town respectfully requested the Office of Real Property
[33:11] Tax Services to reconsider its determination and to enter into either
[33:19] one, establish a sailing special equalization rate for the town
[33:26] and consistent with all the evidence that we supplied. or two, if the office
[33:35] maintains that a segment rate is not the correct variable for the underassessment
[33:40] that we have described in our submitts. Identify to us what is the corrective
[33:46] administrative [clears throat] avenue and consistent with the laws and
[33:51] procedures direct a data gathering necessary to resolve the underlying
[33:56] inequity before the tax season. Now of course
[34:02] that was on August 24th. Nothing has happened since then. We've not heard
[34:07] back from then and we have a tax rate that has been declined. We will continue
[34:13] to seek a response from the Office of Real Poverty Tax Services to our request
[34:20] for their unsatisfactory determination [clears throat]
[34:25] regarding the complaint to the controller.
[34:28] On June 12th, Supervisor Passion filed an official complaint within the New
[34:36] York State Office of State Controller. As you know, the alleged poor systemic
[34:44] and legal failures by the Nikon Central School District that have unfairly
[34:49] increase our paid taxpayer share of the school tax levy. And then on August
[34:56] 11th, we requested that they do something to affect this year's tax
[35:01] rate. >> [clears throat]
[35:02] » The very next day, um, we received a call to Josh from the
[35:10] officer in charge in the Queensberry office of the audits and they advised
[35:19] Josh that an audit would not be done this year. He offered to talk to me and
[35:25] I called him and at my >> [clears throat]
[35:28] » urging auditor said that he will seriously
[35:32] consider quote seriously consider a request planning future audits and will
[35:39] try to give us priority in at least 2027.
[35:45] So that's at this point
[35:49] regarding pilot and host agreements. I I keep bringing this up because this has
[35:56] to do with what we're eventually going to run into with the pilot payments
[36:02] [clears throat] that were coming to the P Conro school
[36:06] district as a result of that Champlain Hudson power
[36:11] um equipment cable [clears throat] that runs right through Lake Champlain and
[36:17] down Route 22. over there. In February, the town had
[36:24] passed resolution number 62 opposing the change that the Taonder school district
[36:32] had sponsored to change that agreement from a pilot agreement to a post
[36:38] agreement. That just did not make any sense to us
[36:42] because the way a pilot agreement is set [snorts] up governmental will set us in
[36:51] icon signatorries as having a high priority. If there is any default in a
[36:58] host agreement, we would be last on the ones to get recognition.
[37:04] And we've gotten seriously concerned about this situation.
[37:10] Because the yeartoate, listen to this, the yeartoate capacity factor
[37:16] [clears throat] for CHP in New York City and it started in May is 12.2%.
[37:25] They have a contractual capacity factor of 95%.
[37:31] And the questionable practice of greenwashing continues by CHP.
[37:37] [clears throat] And
[37:39] CHP's accumulated revenues lost because of this low capacity factor
[37:47] exceed $288 million for failure to deliver in estimated
[37:54] total losses in excess of over $400 million.
[38:00] That number happens to match their current working capital. And it appears
[38:06] to us that CHP is going to run out of cash soon.
[38:12] And in fact, CHP has already initiated tax litigation against 31 of the
[38:21] jurisdictions along that line where the cable was installed in July of 2025.
[38:29] Will tax litigation arrive in Tyono [clears throat]
[38:33] soon? The wisdom of the Tyonoa school district who sponsored that change from
[38:39] a pilot still is increasingly in fact
[38:45] questionable. And our inquiries seeking from the board of [clears throat]
[38:49] education a rationale status and risk management plans in case of this
[38:56] litigation have been met with Simon
[39:02] regarding the battery energy storage system that has been uh we reported in
[39:08] last month's meeting. Brookfield Corporation in New York State are
[39:12] contemplating that hund00 million project. And as we reported last month,
[39:19] we also opposed that is the town of H also proposed that um project per se.
[39:27] And on October 7th, as I excuse me, August 7th, as I reported last month,
[39:33] Josh sent to the Taonder school district and the board of education and the
[39:40] county of Pyonova saying that we strongly oppose the
[39:45] project, but if it proceeds, they believe tax breaks and other
[39:51] financial benefits
[39:55] if [clears throat] they shift the cost to the taxpayer.
[40:00] He is especially concerned that a payment in l of taxes that is a pilot
[40:06] agreement could adversely affect the school taxes for the taxpayers of not
[40:13] only hay but also for high condo. And so consistent with our resolution number 91
[40:20] of 2024 two years ago when we requested to be
[40:27] included in negotiations discussions on pilot agreements affecting our taxes. We
[40:34] again requested plenty notice and participation in any future discussions
[40:40] regarding a pilot [clears throat] for the best project.
[40:45] We actually received a prompt reply from the Essex County IDA
[40:54] industrial development agency, but I report that as of today, we have no
[41:00] response from the town's Taonder or from the Tyonder Central School District or
[41:07] the board of education for being included in [clears throat] being in
[41:13] collaboration with them in have to be as you know our you got your school tax
[41:22] bill probably on September 1st. Thank you again great
[41:30] regarding getting these things out right on the due date and yes our tax rate is
[41:35] 3.2066 >> [snorts]
[41:37] » 667 something per thousand and that is
[41:44] 56.6% of the school tax levy.
[41:50] Finally, the regular September school board of education meeting is scheduled
[41:56] for next Tuesday a week from tonight. It will be on September 16th scheduled to
[42:01] start at 6:00 p.m. Be there. The only thing that influences them in any
[42:07] [clears throat] regard is somebody.
[42:11] [snorts] >> Thank you, Council Member Bast. Moving
[42:15] on to new business. We have several different public
[42:20] hearings that we need to set tonight. Um before we move on setting a public
[42:25] hearing hearing, you give us a overview [clears throat]
[42:31] on me at 11 Road. number 768-16.
[42:40] » What was it? >> Um,
[42:46] » I maybe I'm pronouncing it wrong.
[43:03] » You don't >> [clears throat]
[43:14] [cough] >> line.
[43:17] [clears throat]
[43:29] » Oh, here we go.
[43:36] Okay. >> Okay. Um, [clears throat] what is the
[43:39] pleasure of the board? Do we want to set the public hearing and let Mr. Trudeau
[43:43] come in and let him skip the our normal breakfast?
[43:49] Anyone from that town board entertain a motion to set a public hearing on the
[43:54] October 13 meeting for three waste force water system bearances
[44:01] for 11 pane road number 76 28-1 >> make that motion
[44:10] » all those in favor Mr. Would you please give us an overview
[44:17] now for back down at 240 tax number 6.8-19
[44:24] [cough and clears throat]
[44:27] um just so you know it's going to be next on your list 240 silver room
[44:36] these used to be at some point in history
[44:40] lot. So it's the case that the lakefront law which is 240 more than a double um
[44:47] there was ambiguity I believe on the placement of
[44:51] the [clears throat] original waste system that did not pass over the
[44:54] property. So the best solution we have for them now is
[45:00] system. Um the only thing would be located on the west side road
[45:07] station.
[45:12] [clears throat]
[45:20] [clears throat] That's for McDall.
[45:22] » That is >> okay. I'll consider that as an overview
[45:26] from McDow. Anyone from the town board a motion to
[45:31] set the public hearing for the October 13
[45:38] at 240 tax map number 76.8-19.
[45:44] » I'll make that motion. >> Second. [clears throat]
[45:47] » All those in favor? I told if you give us an overview for
[45:55] 239 tax number 76.8-1.
[46:02] » Sure. Um again [clears throat] I just mentioned that this used to be attached
[46:06] to the lake from par. Um we are proposing a onsite system here
[46:13] replace basically all um that meets no current criteria or
[46:20] standards for onsite waste water. So we are having to ask for some variances to
[46:26] set that the house. This will be moved instead of where the system used to be
[46:32] to the east of the residence. We're now moving it west side of resize
[46:40] setbacks to taste.
[46:46] It's a threebedroom system and like many of the ones that I come
[46:52] here to visit you about that we're making a marked improvement over what's
[46:56] there now. We also know that we cannot. [clears throat]
[47:03] Thanks for having us. >> Thank you, Mr. Holmes.
[47:06] » Did anyone from the town board entertain a motion set public [clears throat]
[47:09] hearing for the October 13 meeting
[47:15] for 239 number 76-1?
[47:21] » I'll make that motion. >> Second.
[47:25] All those in favor? [clears throat]
[47:29] Next, Mr. Hol, could you give us no room for offer 9675
[47:35] or draft map number 12.14-13?
[47:43] » Uh, sure. Uh, this is a twobedroom seasonal residence uh right on More
[47:49] Drive. They've got a small sliver of land between Lakeshore Drive and Lake as
[47:54] far as their access goes. Um mostly development of the property is on the
[47:59] west side of 9 short drive. Uh again it's a small lot. Um so we do have a
[48:07] fairly lengthy list of variances. It's not a number you haven't seen
[48:12] before as far as the number of them goes. Uh and just so you're aware
[48:18] actually the north side of this property and the south side of this property
[48:24] replacement.
[48:32] But we are able to propose a system that I believe will be perfectly appropriate
[48:38] and function longterm for property. We're going to be replacing the existing
[48:43] septic tank that's there along with system
[48:51] board provides provides
[48:58] any questions from the board
[49:04] motion to set [clears throat] a public hearing for October 13
[49:08] next board any or 13 waste water system variances for offerment 9675
[49:16] make sure number 12.14-1-13
[49:25] » I'll make that motion
[49:30] » I'll second it all those in favor
[49:34] » I [clears throat] um I assume Mr. You will be in touch
[49:41] along this application to senior engineering
[49:48] doing that. >> Yep.
[49:51] » And soon there'll be some back and forth and hopefully we can come to the best.
[49:59] » Y what was the date? Was this be next month?
[50:02] » Yeah, October. And um just one last thing for the town
[50:08] board. [clears throat] Uh I'm not asking for
[50:11] but you know just in speaking with Mr. Holmes a couple of times we're one of
[50:15] the only townies that actually see the engineers come twice
[50:21] come and do an overview and then we come to public hearing do an additional
[50:26] overview. Um maybe we just give it some thought.
[50:30] You know, do we want the engineers to always come to set the public hearing
[50:35] and then come again to do the public hearing? You know, my experience
[50:40] [snorts] most of the time any questions happen at
[50:43] the public hearing for the engineer to be able to uh answer effectively for
[50:49] anyone concerned about wastewater. But it's not like it's um this has just
[50:54] always been our process. It's not part of our our zoning law to my knowledge.
[50:59] It's just something to take into consideration going forward.
[51:12] Um, [sighs]
[51:14] next we have a motion to accept the resignation of CEO work Noel active
[51:23] [snorts and clears throat] Thursday, August 27th, 2026.
[51:29] » So move second.
[51:33] » All those in favor? >> [clears throat]
[51:37] » Um before we um move on to this uh next action item, I think it would be
[51:44] appropriate that the town board and everyone watching. Oh, really everyone
[51:52] recognize
[51:55] [clears throat] service on the board.
[52:00] She served a very very long time. She was chairman and vice chair at
[52:08] different points in time and she has served her town well and it's
[52:16] pretty much a volunteer job is [clears throat] something very small but
[52:20] this is something that takes a lot of effort consideration site visits
[52:24] studying and help appreciate and understand our debt of
[52:31] gratitude that we all these plans
[52:36] I will move on with a motion to accept the resignation of planning board member
[52:42] Peterson today [clears throat] 126
[52:49] second. All those in favor >> I [clears throat]
[52:55] additional
[52:59] make a motion to accept the resation
[53:04] of James Jordan as alternate to the planning board effectively today.
[53:15] » I will second that. All those in favor?
[53:19] » I [clears throat] >> I make a motion to approve the
[53:25] appointment of Jamie Jordan as member [clears throat] of the town planning
[53:31] board and we filling the term of Peterson
[53:37] effective through December 202. I will second that. [clears throat]
[53:45] All those in favor? I
[53:51] » welcome to the planning board.
[53:57] Um, next we have a resolution to set a public hearing on October 13, 2026
[54:05] concerning and proposed local law overriding the tax levy limit under New
[54:10] York general municipal law section 3C for the town of pay for fiscal year
[54:17] 2027. You're authorizing the town of Hay,
[54:22] excuse me, the Haytown board after completing all required procedures for
[54:26] the adoption of a budget to adopt a budget for fiscal year 2027 that
[54:31] requires a tax levy that is greater and the tax levy will be calculated for 2027
[54:38] [clears throat] pursuant to general municipal law
[54:43] section 3C. I think maybe it would be appropriate
[54:47] for me to just give a where we ask for a a motion on this um a little bit of
[54:53] overview for this. This tax cap override primarily is referring to the
[55:03] [clears throat] proposed u program that will be coming up for a
[55:08] vote referendum in the November election.
[55:13] » [snorts] >> The LOAP program is an award program for
[55:17] volunteer firefighters.
[55:21] We will
[55:27] not know if this will be accepted or not until after the election. So, the plan
[55:34] at this point would be to wait to vote on the budget until after election day.
[55:41] And should the budget or excuse me should the uh proposal pass the paint
[55:49] then we will we will then fund it in the amount the
[55:55] town board uh establishes at budget time.
[56:00] The other thing to understand that I have not explained to the town board but
[56:05] I'm going to explain now theoretically you do not have to find it this year. We
[56:10] could wait and do this next year, but if we were to
[56:16] start funding it this year, it would just salt the blow a little bit in
[56:22] future years to come um for the most program.
[56:27] So, I mean, we we could postpone it, but then we're sort of like the next year
[56:33] the town board would have to fund it more uh heavily, let's say. So, I was
[56:41] just thinking it might be wise to start funding it this year. We don't even have
[56:45] to fund it this year, but we could um take that under um
[56:53] consideration at budget time. Are there any questions from the time
[56:57] board at this time?
[57:01] » Postponing. If we postpone the year, that make it not effective for an
[57:06] additional year. >> No, it would be effective the same year.
[57:10] It just um technically there's no obligation in year one until after next
[57:16] year.
[57:20] Fire department account essentially in our uh exactly what we're calling him,
[57:26] but our kind of our money manager for the low side program. Um
[57:32] it's going to kind of just be keeping track of how much we have in that
[57:35] account, what we need to charge in any given year from the program. I believe,
[57:40] you know, [clears throat] I think we established that it was somewhere to the
[57:44] tune of like an additional eight cents per thousand
[57:48] is what it would cost in year one.
[57:53] » Will actually
[57:57] if we voted yes, it will be effective January 2027.
[58:04] » Yes, that is correct. >> Thank you.
[58:08] Would anyone from the board like to make that motion?
[58:15] So move.
[58:19] I'll second it. Any discussion?
[58:24] » All those in favor? I carried.
[58:29] » Next, we have a motion to set a special town board meeting for Thursday, October
[58:34] 1st, for the purpose of setting budget meeting dates and for the town clerk to
[58:40] present the tenative budget to the town. >> Time on that one.
[58:47] » Give me one second. if you could please.
[58:57] » Anyone want to make that motion? >> Second.
[59:03] » All those in favor? [clears throat]
[59:08] » Anything before we move to privilege of the floor? Anything from the town board
[59:13] at this time? [snorts] say his prayers should go out to the Z
[59:19] family. All those boys that were in the football game. They just need a lot of
[59:24] prayers.
[59:30] [clears throat]
[59:33] Anything else from any member in the board? [clears throat]
[59:36] Moving on to the guest privilege of
[59:45] I have a question if you will raise meeting
[59:51] tomorrow for years and years as we brought it down by
[59:57] the Chinese under power lines in town are always have always been clear from
[1:00:04] [clears throat] the wires. space under the wires until you get to
[1:00:08] about marketing and then from marketing on down it's a disaster and there's I
[1:00:15] don't know why that would be and I wondering is it because they don't have
[1:00:19] a right away to clear under there would you just ask them why that is and I I
[1:00:26] suspect that that's the cause of many of our power outages
[1:00:32] » from marketing south right Yes. >> Isn't that a horizon issue? Cuz those
[1:00:38] are all one of the horizon lines. It's below the power lines. You're talking
[1:00:42] about the lower lines, right? >> Well, there's trees at whatever lines
[1:00:46] are there, >> right? The lower section, not the upper.
[1:00:49] The top lines are power lines and the lower lines are
[1:00:54] » spectaccept.
[1:01:16] There are some power that just have the line and there's some that have
[1:01:25] a good question. We will be sure to lines. It's not just on the side.
[1:01:34] For sure that way for years.
[1:01:40] Yeah, we're really hoping to get some headway with the treatment.
[1:01:44] [clears throat] When I spoke with one of the reps, they
[1:01:47] claim it's not a financial issue that they only have a very short window
[1:01:52] to operate [snorts]
[1:01:55] before winter. My response to that well it's not a financial window there's only
[1:02:01] you know I'm hoping on the date that you know that season ends [clears throat]
[1:02:06] first date
[1:02:10] come so we're hoping that
[1:02:17] they dialogue is good hope
[1:02:24] can I see your hand up there's Um [clears throat] circling back to um the
[1:02:31] the gas issue. So my understanding is that there's a research group um that is
[1:02:37] part of I believe the tide town board that is um conducting the research. They
[1:02:44] have um committee and they're assigned to various aspects of it. And it looks
[1:02:48] like to me um based on publications that they report out in a public forum um on
[1:02:56] a regular basis. And so my question is do you know if that's correct but in
[1:03:01] public form and anybody can attend even if you don't live
[1:03:16] » just having covered those meeting those meetings they are a public
[1:03:22] meeting the public can attend there not a public comment session.
[1:03:27] » [clears throat] >> Okay. So there would be opportunity for
[1:03:30] people to go and to listen. [clears throat]
[1:03:36] » Okay.
[1:03:40] » Anyone else more online? >> Got one comment question from Jonathan
[1:03:47] Jonathan Smith. Um, it would seem that the Ticonderoga school district will not
[1:03:52] respond to SACE inquiries because school district said previously that would only
[1:03:57] respond to legally required responses. Would a freedom of information law
[1:04:03] request compel the school district to respond to SACE's recent requests
[1:04:08] regarding the best project or would a freedom of information law be the wrong
[1:04:14] tool to get a response?
[1:04:22] I would think so. Yes.
[1:04:29] » Thanks.
[1:04:34] No other questions from online.
[1:04:50] » Second. >> Nope. One more response to that last
[1:04:54] one. So will the will SACE file a freedom of information law request
[1:05:05] » for that information? >> Yes, we we'll we'll see. Right. Right.
[1:05:13] » Yes. If we don't get an answer shortly, we will.
[1:05:16] » Okay. [clears throat] >> Thanks.
[1:05:21] » Yeah. We have a motion and a second on the floor to adjourn.
[1:05:26] All those in favor?