[6:58] All right, welcome everybody. That's that seems loud, echoey. Um,

[7:04] welcome everybody to this is a regular meeting of the Malta Town Board. It's

[7:08] our agenda meeting where for the most part we discuss items that we will

[7:13] likely act on next week. Um, well, we don't have any presentations tonight. We

[7:19] so we'll start our meeting with a salute to the flag. So stand if you are able

[7:25] and then we'll have a moment of silent prayer.

[7:30] » I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

[7:34] republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and

[7:40] justice for all.

[7:48] Thank you everybody.

[7:52] » Um, first item on our agenda is to accept the town clerk's minutes from our

[7:57] 83 meeting. >> So move.

[8:01] » Second. Any discussion?

[8:05] All in favor? >> I

[8:06] » I. Any opposed? >> Um, next we have comments from town

[8:11] residents. [snorts]

[8:14] step right up.

[8:22] » Good evening everybody. My name is Ashley Villa and I live at 510 Nelson

[8:26] Avenue Extension. Everybody probably knows my husband by now. Um my husband

[8:31] and I have been coming before the board and discussing the water problems in our

[8:34] neighborhood since May. Since then, this issue has continued to grow, and we now

[8:39] have nearly 200 signatures from residents asking the town to support a

[8:42] feasibility study to determine what it would take to bring public water to our

[8:45] area. I want to give you an update on what has

[8:49] happened at our own home because I think our experience demonstrates why this

[8:52] study is so important. As we discussed at the last meeting, we've spent

[8:56] approximately $13,000 drilling our third well in hopes that it would finally

[9:01] solve our water problems. Unfortunately, it did not. The well only produces a

[9:05] half a gallon to one gallon of water per minute and the water coming out of it is

[9:08] gray because of the colloidal clay. We brought our water in last time for

[9:11] everyone to see. We already have over $10,000 invested in a whole house

[9:16] reverse osmosis system because of the problems with our previous water from

[9:20] our previous two wells. We have now been told that the colloidal clay in the new

[9:24] well will clog that system. So, we've received another quote for more than

[9:28] $10,000 in additional treatment just to make this third well usable. But even

[9:33] those numbers don't tell this entire story. When we include the equipment

[9:37] that has been damaged or ruined by our water, hot water tanks, repairs,

[9:41] maintenance, treatment systems, wells, and everything else we have done trying

[9:44] to manage this problem over the last nine years. Our family is approaching

[9:48] $100,000 in cost and we still don't have reliable water. At some point, there

[9:55] simply isn't any amount of money that an individual homeowner can keep throwing

[9:59] at this problem. We can drill another well. We can install another filter. We

[10:03] can replace another piece of equipment. We can add another treatment system. But

[10:06] none of those things address our underlying problem. And I don't think

[10:09] that this should be viewed as an issue of property values or whether there are

[10:14] high-end homes in our neighborhood that can afford these ridiculous costs

[10:16] because like I said, there is no amount of money that can fix this. It does not

[10:21] matter what someone's house is worth. This is a quality of life issue. The

[10:25] stress that this has put on our family in the last nine years, I cannot begin

[10:29] to explain to you as a mother with two children, this is an ongoing thing that

[10:34] it's we need help. With that said, as my husband stated in a previous meeting,

[10:40] our area supports some of the highest taxed homes in Malta. We need your help.

[10:46] People should be able to turn on their faucet and have clean, reliable water.

[10:49] They should be able to take a shower, wash their clothes, cook dinner, give

[10:52] their children a glass of water without worrying about whether they're well able

[10:54] to produce enough water or what's coming out of the faucet. We're not asking the

[10:59] town tonight to commit to building a public water system. We understand that

[11:02] there are still questions about cost and infrastructure and engineering funding

[11:06] feasibility, but that's why we're asking for the feasibility study. We'd like to

[11:10] get the facts. Let's determine why it's poss what is possible, what it would

[11:14] cost, what funding may be available, what options exist for the residents

[11:17] who've been dealing with these problems year upon year upon year. And with the

[11:21] town getting closer to its budget discussions, I think now is the time to

[11:25] ask, is funding for this feasibility study being considered in the upcoming

[11:29] budget? If it is not, we would respectfully ask the board, why? And

[11:34] what do you recommend that we can do next? We've been coming here since May.

[11:38] Nearly 200 people have signed the petition. We've documented the problems.

[11:42] We've spoken with our neighbors. We've drilled another well. We've installed

[11:45] treatment systems. We spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to solve

[11:48] this ourselves. And we're doing everything we can on our end. We're

[11:52] asking the town to take the next reasonable step with us to support a

[11:55] feasibility study and help us determine whether there is a permanent solution

[11:58] for our neighborhood and our neighbors. Thank you.

[12:04] » Thank you. Um, as I reply to you, I have reached

[12:08] out to our water engineer and he's working on some sort of at least report

[12:12] for us to use during our our budget talks. So, hopefully I'll have something

[12:18] soon. >> Well, we'll find that out shortly

[12:21] because I'm going to tell you. So, very soon. Um,

[12:27] anybody else? Yes, sir.

[12:34] » All right. My name is uh my name is John Traber. I live on Raleigh Road, which is

[12:39] right around the corner from those guys. Everything she said, I agree.

[12:44] Uh right down the street from me now. I mean, every time someone drills a well

[12:48] or hydroofracks, my water turns gray. I've been there for 42 years. It's run

[12:52] out completely. I can't tell you how many times. Um now they're proposing to

[12:58] build four more houses down the street from me. And I have nothing against

[13:03] construction or anything moving in that direction. You buy a piece of property,

[13:07] you should be able to do what you want with it. But if that those new wells are

[13:12] going to obviously take care or take cause problems with mine because it does

[13:17] every single time anybody drills a well around there. So I would respectfully

[13:21] ask that same thing, you know, you were just talking about um is there money

[13:26] just for I mean you did it for Multivville. At least you found out what

[13:29] could be done. I know you went a step further with them. We're just looking to

[13:32] find out what could be done and which direction to go into in in with. And um

[13:39] and like I said, I mean, those houses are going to have four more wells, more,

[13:44] you know, the aquifer is just terrible around here. Everyone knows that. So, uh

[13:48] just more stress on it. It's going to be wor and and what are they going to do? I

[13:51] mean, every time someone buys a piece of property around here, they can't drill a

[13:54] well or if it does, it affects your neighbor. Um, again, [clears throat]

[13:59] I've lived there for 42 years. Uh, we we've dealt with it, but uh, the more

[14:04] people you put in there, it's going to get even worse. That's all I'm saying.

[14:07] All right. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[14:13] » Anyone else? Public comment.

[14:18] [snorts]

[14:28] Hi, good evening. Karen Evanius, Malta Ridge. Um, I was I had a question um

[14:35] regarding item number two on the discussion items tonight, the Luther

[14:40] Forest Athletic Field Lighting Capital Project. Um, the materials in tonight's

[14:45] packet show a $650,000 project amount, but the August 3rd LA

[14:50] Group estimate shows 1.22 22 million in construction costs. Could the board

[14:56] please clarify what the total amount of the capital project being established

[15:00] tonight is and what the funding source will be?

[15:03] » Well, first of all, we're not establishing it's simply discussion.

[15:06] We're not establishing any capital project and I'll explain that when we

[15:09] get to that. >> Perfect budget or that item.

[15:13] » All right. Cool. Thank you. >> If I tell you now, it'll ruin all the

[15:18] fun later. Karen, anybody else?

[15:23] Okay, we'll move on then to um comments from town board and department heads. I

[15:27] have a few of course. Um first to remind everybody that the town offices and the

[15:32] community center will be closed on Monday, September 7th for um Labor Day.

[15:38] And our next town board meeting will be Monday, September 14th because of Labor

[15:43] Day. So delayed a week. Um September 12th is the 37th annual Malta Community

[15:51] Day at Shannetah Creek Park. Starting a little earlier this year. I believe

[15:55] we're starting at 10:00. It's scheduled for 10 to 3. Um so

[16:00] pray for hope hopefully there'll be great weather and it'll be a great time.

[16:03] It's always a lot of fun. Um next up is we are going to have a series

[16:09] of budget meetings coming up. There's the schedule. Um it'll start with um uh

[16:16] we'll have a budget presentation at our Monday um September 28th

[16:23] 2026 meeting. I'll present the tenative budget to the board and once it's been

[16:27] once it's been filed with the clerk and then we have a series of budget

[16:31] discussions. Most of them the first one is

[16:35] basically the board will you know just talk in general about what's in the

[16:41] budget and then we meet with um department

[16:46] department heads um individually during the next budget discussions you

[16:51] we have more detailed here for us um not for profofits can come and meet with the

[16:56] board um on uh before our Monday October 5th meeting and then again We continue

[17:02] on after that. Um so then you know we'll have a special meeting for a budget

[17:08] recap. What

[17:10] » water on the 14th? >> Well, it won't be about that. It'll be

[17:15] up in here. >> Oh,

[17:16] » that's just our water department. So, um so in any one of those all those

[17:22] meetings will be streamed. So you'll be able to watch from the comfort of your

[17:25] home. They are most of them at 8:00 in the morning. They start and they run

[17:30] for, you know, about 2 hours. So, but they'll be streamed for you to be able

[17:33] to watch if you can't get here. And then hopefully we will have arrived at a

[17:37] budget and we'll be able to adopt a budget on uh November 5th in a timely

[17:41] fashion. Um [clears throat] on 911 for the past

[17:45] couple of years, we have had a uh remembrance ceremony here at our

[17:50] veterans park. Um we intend to do that again now. short ceremony, not a lot of

[17:56] hoopla. Um, start at 8:30 and we usually are finished by 9:00. So, encourage any

[18:01] of the public to come and if anybody out there is interested in speaking at that,

[18:06] just reach out to me and and we'll get you on the schedule. Um, last but

[18:12] certainly not least, I want to take a minute to thank the Round Lake Host

[18:15] Company and the Malta Ridge Volunteer Host Company, the Saratoga County Office

[18:19] of Emergency Services, and all of the other agencies that were involved in in

[18:24] preventing a disaster from being even worse with the fire that we'll be

[18:29] talking about later in our meeting. So, thank you to all the volunteers out

[18:32] there that that um, you know, that helped out to keep to keep everybody

[18:37] safe that night. Um, any other board members have any

[18:43] thing to bring up at this time? >> I have nothing.

[18:47] » All right, we'll move on to our discussion items then. The first time

[18:51] here, I put it first because I thought somebody from the water authority was

[18:53] going to be here, but he is ill. Um, there is a project on Route 67 that is

[18:59] it's kind of hard to see what that is. It's been it's a fully approved project.

[19:03] It's been approved for probably almost two years now. Um it is um on the south

[19:11] side of Route 67. It is three 11 unit apartment buildings.

[19:17] Um the very last thing, it's been approved for everything. The very last

[19:20] thing is um we have to approve a waterline extension for Clifton Park

[19:26] Water Authority. The water for the project will be serviced by by uh

[19:30] Clifton Park Water Authority. So that's the last item we have. It'll be um an

[19:36] action item next year. It has been approved already by the Clifton Park

[19:40] Water Authority. Once we approved it, then the town of Clifton Park will have

[19:44] to approve the waterline extension also. So, any questions?

[19:49] » You said uh next year. Did you mean next meeting?

[19:51] » Uh next meeting. >> Okay.

[19:53] » Yes. On the 14th. >> Thank you.

[19:57] » Any other comments, questions for any board members?

[20:01] Cynthia, I'd just comment that certainly we can consider it at the next meeting,

[20:07] but to extend the water, they're going to have to, you know, file a petition to

[20:13] to do so. Um, it's the the legal description of our area for a water

[20:19] supply district is defined. So the applicant's going to have to take steps

[20:24] to provide that which >> the applicant or the water authority

[20:27] » or the water authority, you know, that's the water authority more than likely is

[20:31] going to pass the buck on to them. They've started that process through

[20:35] Clifton Park, but but but the owner of the property needs to

[20:39] » get additional information for the board. So

[20:42] » it may or may not be ready for action. >> Okay. [clears throat] All right. Well,

[20:47] you and I talk about what's what we need tomorrow and I'll relay that to either

[20:51] planning or the water authority. >> Um

[20:55] » I have a follow-up question for Steve um or I guess Mr. Gotman.

[21:00] » Uh do you know how long those would you know that process typically takes for

[21:03] the the water authority or the applicant to uh to get all of that in order?

[21:07] » Well, normally if the applicant is the only owner of the property, it's just

[21:13] completing the the paperwork and filing it because it doesn't need consent of

[21:17] any other parties. So it's, you know, preparation of legal documents that

[21:22] based upon, you know, um, submitting things like the engineering and

[21:26] everything to Clifton Park, I think is already done. They just have to do a

[21:30] parallel process here for us in in Malta.

[21:34] » Okay. Thank you. >> Anybody else? Any questions?

[21:39] » How long is that?

[21:42] » I have no idea. >> Is it the dashed line on the plans?

[21:48] I I don't I I have no idea. I mean, we'll find more, but when we have the I

[21:52] suppose the >> But again, that'll all be paid for not

[21:55] by the town of Malta. It'll be paid for by the applicant, by the developer,

[22:01] » at no cost to the town of Malta. >> So, everybody's clear, this is nothing

[22:05] to do with Malta's water authority. This is Clifton Park Water and they have a

[22:10] defined area for a water supply district that the board has approved in the past.

[22:16] And if we're going to amend that, the board has to take action and that's why

[22:21] they need to submit this paperwork. But >> that water line, wherever it's extended

[22:26] from and two is Clifton Park Water Authorities water line, not the towns,

[22:31] » right?

[22:34] » Um, anything else? So, the next item um is to establish I'm hoping the next week

[22:41] we will establish a camper project for the Luc athletic field lighting.

[22:45] Originally, I we submitted a for a um grant, a state

[22:52] and municipal grant from um the state of New York for [clears throat] $250,000.

[22:58] We've been awarded that. I underestimated the cost of the paving

[23:04] more than anything else. When the estimate came back from the LA group

[23:09] regarding it, regarding the project, the the paving alone was $600,000.

[23:15] um mostly because the cost of asphalt has has exponentially increased over the

[23:21] past year. So um I have submitted a um modification to do only the lighting of

[23:30] the field. So on the what you were looking at on the form the 1.2 we've

[23:36] asked to eliminate the $600,000. So the total cost of the project instead

[23:40] is $620,000.

[23:44] the we'll get the $250,000 from from the state from the state municipal grant

[23:50] sillies grant from Carrie Warner's office and then we the rest of the

[23:55] project will be paid for from our park reserves. We have park reserves of

[24:01] $790,000. Um that and those are monies that can

[24:06] only be used to make improvements to our park facilities. Can't be used for

[24:11] anything else. they can't be used to pay anybody or to buy anything. It's to make

[24:15] capital improvements in our parks. They're monies that we collect from

[24:19] developers for mitigation funds and they're sitting there waiting to to be

[24:23] spent. Um, I've discussed this with our with our facilities manager and with our

[24:30] parks and wreck director and [clears throat] we

[24:34] are comfortable that we can expend this money and not hurt ourselves with other

[24:39] upgrades that we need to make in the future like playgrounds. Um, so, um,

[24:44] that's what the proposal is going to be is to establish a capital project in the

[24:48] amount of $620,000 to put lights on the athlet on the

[24:55] soccer field at the Luther Force Athletic Fields.

[25:00] Did we ever get an accounting of the

[25:07] percentage of Malta residents

[25:12] from >> I mean just the just the one that we got

[25:16] a while ago. I I don't I mean I mean because it's a park

[25:22] it's not only for the use of Malta residents. It it's for the use of

[25:27] anybody, right? But multi- taxpayers are going to be upkeeping that in the future

[25:35] also. >> Correct.

[25:37] » And they'll have a contingu ongoing cost

[25:43] to maintain it. >> Correct. But

[25:47] » that's my concern that >> when I take my grandkids up to Gavin

[25:51] Park to use the um splash pad up there and the park facilities in Gavin Park,

[25:58] the town of Wilton is maintaining that park. So it's, you know, it's a give and

[26:02] take everywhere. So, you know, we we can go to parks.

[26:06] » When I get calls, I got to answer them. So,

[26:10] » um any other questions on that? I mean, it does open it up to being I mean, one

[26:15] of the examples is and one of the reasons I support this is got fall

[26:19] soccer going on. It's dark [clears throat] by 6:30, 7:00 and they

[26:24] have to end their programs >> and it would allow a lot more kids to be

[26:29] able to participate in in the programs. I mean, this year they said they turned

[26:34] they turned kids away and >> it would be

[26:36] » think he >> if they had a winter

[26:40] » program out there also. Yeah, agreed. >> They're going to have

[26:45] lights. They could have a skating program out there for a

[26:52] » town of Malta could have a have an open skate for an hour. You pay five bucks,

[26:56] bring your skates, you know, a little money for the town. Might go to your

[26:58] maintenance cost. But that's that's the idea here. I mean, I see this purely as

[27:02] a public improvement. It's a public park. It's open to anybody, not just

[27:05] town residents, but anybody out here. And I think if we have this money and a

[27:09] park improvement fund, having, you know, one park within our community that is

[27:14] capable of nighttime activity, I think is a resource, a resource and a benefit.

[27:19] » I'm not disputing that. >> I'm just saying to get more you use out

[27:26] of the dollars that we're putting forward.

[27:28] » Yep. Agreed. We could we can >> at a

[27:32] very small cost. >> Yeah.

[27:33] » Mhm. [snorts] Any other remarks from any of my fellow

[27:39] board members? So, that will be an item next week. We also will have um a

[27:44] stipulation of settlement for 15 Locust Road. Our assessor has agreed to settle

[27:48] a a case uh regarding that. So, we'll have that next week.

[27:55] Um the next one also is related to

[28:00] assessment. The Boston Spa School District historically has assumed uh 50%

[28:05] of the cost of fighting any uh legal challenges that we have based on because

[28:12] of assessments within the Boston Spa School District. We have three this

[28:17] year. And so the next item is actually an agreement between the Boston Spa

[28:21] Central School District and the town of Malta for them to pay 50% of the legal

[28:27] fees for these three. um these three challenges. So, it's

[28:33] really quite a benefit for us. They've been very generous with that.

[28:37] » And I'm sure everybody got their school taxes in the mail.

[28:40] » Yeah. Just today. >> Today, I'm sure you're all smiling.

[28:44] » Could be worse. >> As I did as I tore the top of it off.

[28:49] » Yeah. >> Any other comments on that?

[28:54] Um, another item that we'll have next week is um, we have a contract with the

[29:01] um, company that we bought the audio video equipment from to help us maintain

[29:06] it that they they have on-site service, on-site training for us. So, it's

[29:11] contract that we generally have renewed every year. So, hopefully the board will

[29:15] agree to renew it again this year. The total contract amount is $6,400.

[29:24] Everybody any comments there? All right, the next one is a little bit

[29:28] complicated here to explain, but we have a graphic for you. Um, if you can see

[29:34] it. So, in you, as as you may know, we recently updated all of our zoning um

[29:42] our zoning code and we uh sort of discovered after the fact that there was

[29:48] something that was omitted in our opinion erroneously. Um so, the area

[29:54] that is involved is in our formbbased code. It's the district called the GC3.

[30:00] If you look on the furthest map to the left, um, it is where that that's that

[30:06] sort of lavender color for lack of a better one. So, there's an arrow there.

[30:10] There's also some up towards the top if you can scroll up a little bit there,

[30:13] Clark Forest. So, it flanks the north and south borders of of our of the of

[30:20] the formbbased code of the downtown. Um what we what happened was so the

[30:26] first um the the middle graphic is what was in

[30:32] the revised 2021 formbbased code. Those are uses. So that's the use table. The G

[30:40] GC3 where that's highlighted there for you. If you scroll down a little bit,

[30:46] you'll see that in the in the GC3 in the 2021, a convenience store with no gas

[30:53] was an allowed use. So there's a little dot there says it's allowed. If you go

[30:58] to the next graphic,

[31:02] it is eliminated. So where there's no dot there in that line,

[31:07] I it was not the intention of the board to eliminate that. We never discussed

[31:11] it. We never discussed changing any uses in the GC3

[31:16] um other than adding. We talked about adding uses. We never talked about

[31:21] taking any uses away. So, it's been recommended by our planning staff that

[31:26] we go through the process of amending that the the zoning already to add

[31:35] convenience store as an allowed use in the GC3.

[31:41] That make sense to everybody? Any discussion from anybody? The

[31:46] process, of course, it's a process. It's um we will have to have a public

[31:52] hearing. It'll have to be referred to the county planning. They'll have to

[31:56] make a determination and then we'll have to adopt the local

[31:59] law to to add that use to the to the form based code zoning.

[32:09] questions, comments. Jeez, I thought that'd be harder than

[32:13] that. Um,

[32:17] we've also talked about this at a couple meetings. The next item, um, our highway

[32:21] superintendent is recommending that we update that update our water ordinance

[32:27] and specifications to include a couple of items. The first one is um that he

[32:32] would like to have a meter pit installed for any service connection 2 in and

[32:37] under where the distance between the curb stop and the structure exceeds 100

[32:41] ft. Mostly that's because if if there's a leak in between there, we might never

[32:47] know it. So the meter pit would give us some,

[32:50] you know, we'd be able to isolate leaks on the longer service lines.

[32:56] Um, he would like to see a shut off valve be

[33:00] installed on both the inlet and outlet sides of a meter of a water meter to

[33:06] allow the water and plumbing system to be isolated for maintenance and

[33:09] replacement. Um, if the third one is if you have an

[33:14] existing well and you then hook up to the water system

[33:20] um that don't there will be no physical cross connection. So you can't right now

[33:26] you can have some some I don't know backflow

[33:30] metering and or system but he thinks that's inadvisable because we would

[33:35] never know if that system fails. So he wants absolutely no no cross connections

[33:42] between the well system and the potable water supply and the last is to require

[33:48] pressure reducing valve requirement. I believe this is only for Maltville,

[33:52] correct? The the the pressure reducing because the water is coming in at a very

[33:57] high pressure from the Saratoga County Water Authority and we have pressure

[34:02] reducing valve in the in the whole system. But if

[34:07] that one pressure reducer fails, then the pressure to the water going into the

[34:12] homes of the residents that are using the water would would cause damage. So

[34:17] those are four things that he found in our standards. he thinks and our water

[34:21] engineer agrees that those are something we should uh change. Again, it requires

[34:29] you know a process that public hearing it's updating a local law so it you know

[34:35] it'll require the process. [cough] >> Yeah. I mean, some of those may be

[34:42] avoided if they're not required to change what's in the local law because

[34:46] we have a separate >> standards

[34:49] » standards that we adopted. So, I'll have to verify,

[34:52] » okay, >> which ones are changes to the local law

[34:56] and which one were just adopted by resolution of the board

[35:00] » for the standards. >> Yeah. Then that would not require as

[35:03] much >> and they may all be

[35:04] » Yeah. you know, so any questions on that?

[35:10] Sean's here. Well, you but with this is a discussion with the board. So, and

[35:14] you'll be able to ask that question at the end of the meeting to save it. So,

[35:20] um >> so I I have a quick question.

[35:23] » So, with these uh these meter pits, valves, you know, etc., etc., who is on

[35:28] the hook for uh paying for these installations? and would they be

[35:32] retroactively applied to already existing uh customers?

[35:37] » Um we haven't really quite settled on that. We did talk about the pressure

[35:41] reducing valve being part of the uh the charge that we have for installation.

[35:46] » Um our water superintendent would like his his people to install them

[35:53] » at at no cost to the user be part of the installation charge. So yeah, the meter

[35:58] pit would be the responsibility of the of the of the user. Um the existing

[36:05] walls doesn't, you know, it's just a thing. So

[36:08] » yeah, and the only reason I bring this up is I deal with specifications all the

[36:12] time for the DOT and I mean we have all sorts of documents on how to write these

[36:16] things and this that and the other and I don't know

[36:18] » if it's spelled out somewhere else in the water codes. It's just these kind of

[36:21] clarifications might be needed or maybe they're not. I'm not sure. But

[36:24] » it it will be at this at this point. It's just a summary of the changes he

[36:28] wants to make. The the final legislation will have more.

[36:32] » All right. Thank you very much. And thank you for going through this as well

[36:35] and looking at this and coming up with suggestions. We do appreciate that.

[36:41] » Anything else from the board? Um next item is the um state has adopted a new

[36:50] exemption. Um it's a proposed disabled veteran exemption. Um this is a 100%

[36:58] it's a it's an exemption for 100% disabled veterans. Um it is veterans

[37:05] that are permanently and totally disabled. Um and they're wartime vets

[37:11] only. So you know peace time cold war wouldn't apply. Wartime vets. Saratoga

[37:17] County is set to adopt. We're having a public hearing in two

[37:22] weeks and I expect that Saratoga County will adopt this. Just a reminder to

[37:27] everybody, we have no town tax. It does not exempt them from special districts,

[37:32] which is fire and um EMS and library. So, they wouldn't be exempt from that.

[37:38] And since we have no town tax, it doesn't really affect our our budgetary

[37:43] doesn't affect us budgetarily at all. um it would be county tax and presumably

[37:47] the school district if the school district also um adopts it. It's it's

[37:54] very you know in the packet there were several things including you know a an

[38:00] explanation from this that we got from Saratoga County and a very impassioned

[38:04] letter from the um director of the um our veterans affairs for Saratoga

[38:10] County. I I personally support it. But I think

[38:14] anything we can do especially for disabled vets is is important. So

[38:18] [clears throat] any discussion on that?

[38:21] » What's going to happen to the the veterans that aren't 100%?

[38:27] Is it going to be a percentage? >> No, it this is an exemption only for

[38:31] that. But it does not affect um the veterans exemptions that they currently

[38:35] have. So there we there are veterans exemptions in place now

[38:39] » that that they they still are available for vets. Okay.

[38:43] » This is just for >> Thank you.

[38:46] » Yeah. This is >> permanently.

[38:47] » Yeah. This is in addition to >> in addition to Exactly.

[38:51] » So, doesn't affect any other exemptions. Um here's another little interesting

[38:58] diddy. They got the bid results from the much talked about ramp on the court. As

[39:05] everybody probably knows, we've been trying to update our court building to

[39:09] make sure it's ADA compliant. Um, we got we only received one bid for replacing

[39:14] that ramp. We had appropriated about $40,000 for all the ADA compliance

[39:20] things. We have about $36,000 left. The bid amount was $148,000.

[39:28] So, considerably more than we anticipated.

[39:32] Um, I we only got the one bid. It's the the

[39:39] proposal is to remove the concrete ramp that is there now

[39:44] and build, you know, replace all the concrete sidewalks, build some steps up

[39:48] where the ramp is now, that side, and then build the ramp

[39:53] so that it would enter the porch on that end on the south side of the building to

[39:58] make sure that there's enough um length to make the gradient what it

[40:04] needs to be. Um there's a couple of other things. So we have $36,000 left

[40:10] that that we appropriated in this budget that we can use. Um the court is

[40:15] applying for what's called a JCAP grant which every year we you know we we

[40:19] usually apply for that. They are applying this year for a the JCAP is up

[40:23] to $30,000. This year they're applying to replace

[40:27] the magnetron or whatever the metal detector thing.

[40:33] um they anticipate that'll cost somewhere between5 and $6,000. So if she

[40:37] applies for the $30,000, we could have conceivably $24,000.

[40:42] It still would be requiring a $90,000 outlay that's unappropriated, but um you

[40:49] know that money would come from fund balance if if this board decides to move

[40:54] forward with that with that project. So,

[41:00] comments, questions? >> I'm assuming that's all cement

[41:08] flooring. >> Yep. It'll all be it'll all be concrete.

[41:11] Yes. Which I think that's probably part of what makes the

[41:14] » the cost >> the cost is,

[41:16] » you know, concrete. >> So,

[41:19] » yeah. And this is a compliance issue. So,

[41:21] » it it would be compliant. >> Exactly.

[41:24] So, if the board chooses to move forward with this, it we'll just accept the bid

[41:30] and our controller will advise us to move

[41:34] some money around. It's a lot of money, but like I said, it's something that's

[41:38] been talked about for quite some time. So,

[41:42] let's say to I guess reiterate Don's point, it is

[41:47] a it's a compliance issue. This issue has been brought up for for not just our

[41:52] tenure on the board, but this has been a long-standing issue over multiple u you

[41:57] know I guess sessions here or terms on the board.

[41:59] » Why don't we try and do what we can to fix it? Concrete's a good material. It

[42:04] lasts for a while, especially if it's installed correctly.

[42:07] » We might get, you know, hopefully decades worth of use out of it.

[42:12] I I would like to add uh we have talked in the past about possibly relocating

[42:18] the courts, but I assume that building would be repurposed if we did that and

[42:24] this >> uh addition would still be required.

[42:28] Yes. And so it's not wasted, so to speak. Thank you.

[42:32] » Correct. >> Exactly. It's it's just it's investing

[42:35] in the town's infrastructure. It's helping just make us more resilient

[42:39] moving forward. Any

[42:43] other comments? And we'll have that as an action item next. Uh on September

[42:48] 14th, our town historian is requested to um attend the 2026 Association of Public

[42:55] Historians New York State Conference in Udica on the 28th to the 30th. So, we'll

[43:01] have a resolution to to approve that unless somebody objects to him going to

[43:05] a conference in Udica. Um >> my only comment is please go out there,

[43:11] learn a lot, bring it back, continue doing good things.

[43:17] » Um we the the um historic preservation review commission has had well

[43:24] somebody's been acting as the secretary, but she doesn't want to do it anymore.

[43:26] So one of the newer members on the HPRC um Kathy Cobri um they have selected to

[43:34] be their secretary and she's agreed. So, we'll have a resolution to appoint uh

[43:39] Kathy Cobri as the secretary to the HBRC.

[43:43] And the last um discussion item is [clears throat] the New York State

[43:47] Association of Towns is having the very first ever legislative conference. It's

[43:52] in Albany, so it doesn't require travel. Um I plan to attend the conference.

[43:58] There is um and you know, if anybody else wants to go, you know, I'll share

[44:02] that information. We have an opportunity. So at this conference, the

[44:07] New York um Association of Towns will [clears throat] meet and discuss um

[44:15] you know legislative priorities that they want to recommend that they move

[44:19] forward. And I would like that the um I would like this board to uh designate me

[44:27] as a as a voting member of that legislative committee so that we have

[44:33] some say in what sort of programs we want to put forth and advocate for for

[44:38] the to the New York State Legislature and the governor.

[44:42] Anybody have any objection? Doesn't cost anything for me to be a delegate. So,

[44:51] um, if there's no other comment, if if anybody else wants to attend the

[44:54] conference for whatever reason, just let Julia know. It's in Albany from,

[45:01] um, what's the date? I don't know.

[45:06] It's September 22nd and 23rd at the Albany Hilton.

[45:13] I won't be staying down there. So, Anything else?

[45:19] Uh, we have a few action items. Uh, the first I will um invite our senior code

[45:24] enforcement officer, Greg Berg, to present a report regarding the condition

[45:29] of the property subsequent to the fire at five West Drive. West Drive. Yeah.

[45:34] Drive.

[45:38] » That's okay. Take your time, Greg.

[45:55] Good evening board. On the 23rd of this month, Five West Drive experienced a

[46:01] devastating fire. There's nothing left.

[46:07] I'm asking on under the provisions of chapter 60 that the board consider an

[46:14] act of condemnation for the particular property as well as what's standing

[46:18] which is approximately 50% of the garage.

[46:24] Hopefully you all have some photographs of what we've seen, walked around,

[46:32] smelled, but you can't smell that from a photograph.

[46:38] Under 60-2, under lawful unlawful conditions, there

[46:44] is likewise a number of unregistered vehicles. As of today, only three. There

[46:49] were four. There's also defunct lawnmowers,

[46:55] various garden debris, there's unmodeed weeds and grasses,

[47:01] and it just is in an unkempt condition at this point.

[47:10] I ask that you consider taking a look at those photographs. It doesn't do it

[47:14] justice. If you've been there yourself, I think you can understand the scope of

[47:19] the devastation that occurred there. And please keep in mind that it is a

[47:24] neighborhood and there are neighbors in close proximity to it.

[47:29] So I ask under 60-4 procedures

[47:34] that you find that this property is worthy of condemnation and that we set

[47:39] forth a public meeting date. Thank you.

[47:45] So I believe the process is and what so everybody got a new resolution

[47:51] replacement for the resolution that had your packets that the town attorney made

[47:56] a few updates to it. Um maybe so basically the action tonight would be

[48:02] to um schedule a hearing because the the the property owner is is um entitled to

[48:09] a hearing before this board >> um before it's um for the condemnation

[48:15] process. Um I guess I want to ask you what first of all has the property been

[48:22] secured at all at this point? >> There is caution tape around it. Uh it

[48:26] was advised that that's as far as the town should go at this point. If we were

[48:31] to fence it in number one, it would be a pretty decent expenditure on the town's

[48:36] part, but it also uh exhibits ownership. We are in control of that property. I

[48:44] don't think you want that. I think that is definitely within the realm of the

[48:50] responsibility of the owner and also the insurance company in order to do that.

[48:55] So I would highly caution against that. It was likewise posted as do not occupy

[49:00] and as of today there the order of rem to remedy [snorts] was likewise posted

[49:05] on the property as well as a letter sent per law. So notifications

[49:10] [clears throat] out there and everything. So hopefully

[49:14] you know we will get some movement in that regard. I have been in touch with

[49:19] the insurance company their representative there. They sent out an

[49:24] investigator. Highly doubt that that individual is going to find a blessed

[49:28] thing because county was all over that and they didn't find anything either. It

[49:33] was inconclusive. So, origin of fire non-existent.

[49:39] So hopefully in the next few days I'll get further correspondence and we'll go

[49:44] on from there. >> But I will pass that along.

[49:47] » It would be good if the insurance company would f put a temporary fence

[49:50] around it. >> It would be it would be awesome all the

[49:52] way around. It really would. Um >> cuz it's definitely hazardous.

[49:57] » Yeah. And um quite honestly, it would be a very refreshing experience for me

[50:02] after 15 years of doing this. That probably will be the first time I've

[50:06] ever seen it anybody move that quickly. So, uh I may have a few tricks up my

[50:11] sleeve in order to move things along a little bit faster, but [snorts]

[50:15] we'll we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

[50:18] » Greg, I have a question. We've gone to this once before recently.

[50:26] Um, rally >> and yeah, and as I

[50:30] recall, the insurance company or the homeowner did not respond to it.

[50:38] Correct. Do you see the same issue here

[50:44] long-term or do you think the insurance company will

[50:52] respond as needed? >> I think the insurance company will be a

[50:56] little bit more responsive. The difficulty in the Raleigh Road case was

[51:01] that the fire investigation team came in.

[51:05] They had um they had their dogs with them. The dogs alerted on two specific

[51:11] areas within the home which were cut out and then later analyzed and found to

[51:15] have accelerants. >> Oh, that's right.

[51:18] » Th this case here, there's nothing that's going to cause that. So, there

[51:24] was a prolonged investigation and uh there the investigation led to an

[51:30] individual that had a relationship with the owner at one point and so on so

[51:36] forth. Children probably road one. >> Mhm.

[51:38] » Right. >> So, and also [clears throat] the owner

[51:41] in this case likewise kind of got in the way a little bit too, but

[51:45] » later on after drawing her into court, >> we were able to resolve that. I don't

[51:50] foresee this being the same situation. >> That would be good. Thank you.

[51:54] » It would be very good. >> I have a question to were there any

[51:57] summons issued in this or case or anything? I mean, it looked like it

[52:01] needed some attention from somebody. I wish I could tell you why it wasn't.

[52:07] Uh, from everything that I've heard after the fact, it probably should have.

[52:13] Um, but then again, we don't have any written complaints or anything else

[52:18] having to lead back to it. So, consequently, it would be conjecture on

[52:23] my part. [snorts]

[52:27] » Well, I would just like to say I did drive by there today. It was not at all

[52:33] what I expected. I expected a damaged building. That That's horrific. No

[52:39] neighbors should be subjected to that any longer. And whatever we can do as

[52:44] quickly as possible, I'm in favor of. It's just obviously not only an eyesore,

[52:50] but unhealthy and unsafe. Yes. >> And it needs to be fixed soon.

[52:54] [clears throat] Thank you for being on top of things and helping us do that.

[53:00] Well, the first step is, like I say, we have to have a hearing. Um, there has to

[53:04] be at least some sort of reasonable time between scheduling the hearing and

[53:10] notifying the the the owner of the property that we're going to have the

[53:14] hearing so that he can respond. I, you know, that's sort of a matter of of of

[53:23] opinion. I, you know, even our town attorney doesn't really have a real

[53:28] » Well, Yeah, [clears throat] I mean it just for the board and the public, you

[53:34] know, obviously Greg's here because there's a condition in his view and he's

[53:39] given the report both here today and in writing to the board about the

[53:43] seriousness and the danger that this property poses to the public and nearby

[53:48] residents and the condition of the property. Uh, and as a board, you have

[53:52] an obligation to um to protect the community. Um, you also have to comply

[53:58] with the due process rights of the homeowner. So, the notice requirement um

[54:05] is necessary. Your job tonight would be the resolution before you and the

[54:10] changes I made were minor just to clarify that it's not just the structure

[54:14] itself, it's the condition of the property. Um but your job would be to

[54:18] accept his findings that um that um this needs immediate attention and then to

[54:25] set that hearing and give the homeowner or their representative the opportunity

[54:30] to be heard before the board before you make a final determination. So the

[54:35] notice piece, you know, is reasonable notice under our code. we have to send

[54:39] it by certified mail, return receipt requested um or by um the regular CPL R

[54:47] which could be personal service um you know and we have to notice the mortgage

[54:53] holder, the insurance company and the individual owner and then we have to

[54:56] give them a reasonable time to be able to prepare and attend a hearing. So, um,

[55:03] you know, uh, typically that's 20, well, 30 days would probably be a time, but we

[55:08] also have a dangerous condition. So, you know, the shorter you go, you know, we

[55:14] start to border on potentially concerns of due process. The longer we go, we

[55:20] obviously have a greater threat to the community. So, um, you know, I think a

[55:26] reasonable notice in this time, you know, the fire just recently occurred.

[55:30] Uh, Greg and our staff have been on top of it. Um, you know, we had to we needed

[55:37] to be mindful of the, uh, investigation, uh, the fire investigation, not to do

[55:42] anything prior to that being complete to interfere with that. Same kind of goes

[55:46] with the insurance company. So, I guess the short of it, there's a process as

[55:50] far as a hearing date goes. Um, I know we have a board meeting September 14th.

[55:56] That's kind of quick notice because by the time we

[56:00] um get them served um multiple parties and then um um have them sufficient

[56:08] time, you know, we can extend it if they object if they appear and say, "Hey, we

[56:14] need more time to prepare for this hearing." Um that's a possibility or to

[56:18] give a little bit more notice. I think um Greg's opinion on that is uh very

[56:24] valuable and the condition of the property is a great threat. Um you know

[56:29] the order before you um and and u requires that they secure the property

[56:35] that they um um remove the existing structure to the extent it's still there

[56:42] and that they remove all debris from the property. And that's the notice of the

[56:46] hearing that we're going to send. Um once we have that hearing, if you do

[56:50] find it and um they've had an opportunity to be heard, if you find it

[56:54] to be in violation of our code um or New York State fire code or property

[57:00] maintenance code, um then we have to give them a reasonable time to to cure

[57:05] it. So, you know, it's going to be an extended period of time before the site

[57:10] is cleaned up. And that's what as a board you need to be aware of is that as

[57:15] fast as we want to move, there's some legal restraints on what we can do.

[57:21] However, um one of the things in here is that we're not taking control of the

[57:26] site or ownership of the site. We're directing the homeowner and um

[57:31] responsible parties to do that. And if they fail to do that, the town may

[57:38] expend money and then pursue it um through um you know filing a lean

[57:44] against the property and collection and enforcement. That's what our code allows

[57:48] for. You know, we're certainly hopeful that there's insurance that then they've

[57:52] been engaged with Greg that that doesn't become necessary and that the factors

[57:58] that complicated Rowley Road don't appear to be present in this case. So,

[58:02] as far as when we should have that hearing, um I I think um we need to give

[58:08] that notice. Um and you know, it would the earliest I could think of would be

[58:14] that the 14th. Um anytime after that is, um you know, balancing towards the due

[58:21] process concerns. Um you know, because if we can't So, the house is gone. Um I

[58:27] don't know where he's going to get his mail. So, if he doesn't get that notice,

[58:31] he didn't, you know, then what are we going to do? There's no no structure to

[58:34] post it on. >> His mailbox is uh on the ground and I

[58:38] used his post, >> right? But I mean, under the

[58:41] circumstances, you know, is uh you know, it we have reasons to suspect that it

[58:47] might be difficult for him to get notice. I'm going to advise that the

[58:51] town clerk also published this that even though it's not a public hearing that we

[58:55] we advertise it and put post notice of it on our website and otherwise and even

[59:00] in the paper. So, >> do we have contact information? Do we

[59:03] have a phone number for him? >> That was one of the problems initially

[59:08] within that fire. They weren't able to raise him. Uh, somebody has his somebody

[59:15] does have his telephone number now that he's back down from like I believe it

[59:20] was Sarinac Lake or something. >> Oh, the investigators have it.

[59:25] » We do have the phone number. >> Okay.

[59:27] » Okay, good. We got a phone number, but again, verbal notice isn't going to be

[59:31] sufficient, you know. So, I'm just I'm not

[59:35] » I'm just pointing out the issues as a board that we have to face. So, we have

[59:39] to give reasonable notice. we have to have this hearing where they have the

[59:43] opportunity to present their side um and an opportunity to be heard on it. I

[59:47] don't you know what they're going to present on that is probably yeah we're

[59:52] going to do it. We need time and >> um and then the matters of [snorts] you

[59:56] know securing it and what needs to be done first or things that the board can

[1:00:00] impose at the hearing. >> I mean I would like to propose then that

[1:00:02] we schedule that hearing for for September 14th at 5:30 before our

[1:00:06] regular meeting. will make every effort to make sure that he gets the not that

[1:00:11] everybody gets the notification that they need within a day or two.

[1:00:15] » Okay. >> Um and if you know if they know the

[1:00:20] insurance company or the homeowner requests additional time then we can we

[1:00:26] can consider that then we can adjourn the hearing until

[1:00:29] until such time. So >> that sounds reasonable to me.

[1:00:34] » Is that reasonable to you? Just for my own education, when you see houses

[1:00:37] burning down almost every week and within 24 hours the lots are cleared.

[1:00:42] How does that happen? >> You I mean that I I mean I'm not aware

[1:00:47] of >> I don't know how it happens that fast

[1:00:49] » that quickly. I mean the fires the recent ones I've seen have taken some

[1:00:53] time. Um, you know, there was a family structure just outside of Malta, but in

[1:00:59] Boston that's now been rebuilt. But >> it was a long time before that was

[1:01:03] » the insurance companies and, you know, the mortgage companies and,

[1:01:08] » you know, there's [clears throat] a lot that has to get worked out before that

[1:01:11] happens. And that's the difficulty for the towns because

[1:01:15] » they're, you know, as Mr. Berg has pointed out, not only are they unsafe,

[1:01:20] it it's close to to a neighboring parcel. Um they're they're attractive

[1:01:25] nuisances, there's, you know, vermin that moves in. There's people that might

[1:01:30] move in. Um there's a lot that can occur in an a dangerous site. Um so, you know,

[1:01:38] that's why we're moving quickly to hopefully tonight accept Mr. Berg's

[1:01:44] findings and set this hearing and and proceed. But I don't know if that means

[1:01:49] the process of cleaning it up is going to be a quick process.

[1:01:55] » But we need to be sure we do what we need to do just to, you know, protect

[1:01:59] our interests also. So So does that sound like a plan for

[1:02:04] everybody that this resolution will be read that the town of Malta will hold a

[1:02:08] hearing pursuant to 60-4 the town code on the 14th day of September at 5:30 and

[1:02:14] then if we have to postpone it. But it, you know, we hopefully we'll reach out

[1:02:18] to the owner and we'll get a response. We'll mail we'll give you a notice that

[1:02:23] you'll um we're going to send it certified mail as required by our code,

[1:02:27] but we're also going to attempt to personally serve even though he's not at

[1:02:31] the property. He could be encouraged to come in and pick it up so he has it. If

[1:02:35] he doesn't, we'll post it, put it at the mailbox to the best we can and comply.

[1:02:41] um we have insurance information so we'll contact them and you know I'll

[1:02:45] have to get what I can from the county on the mortgage make sure there's no

[1:02:49] other owners and you know so there is some diligence we have to do uh and then

[1:02:55] we'll have that hearing and and we'll go from there

[1:03:02] » so I'll entertain a motion

[1:03:06] » so move >> second

[1:03:09] » wait You've got to have a resolution.

[1:03:13] » There is a resolution and it's been presided. You you all have that here

[1:03:17] tonight, >> right?

[1:03:18] » But what we need there is just to clarify in the resolution. You said it,

[1:03:23] but um the 14th, it's the regular board meeting at 6 p.m. That information is

[1:03:28] not completed in your resolution. So, um if I could get a motion to a uh first to

[1:03:35] and then to amend it and then to proceed with that. First, we'll have a motion to

[1:03:39] amend the resolution to include the language that the town of Malta will

[1:03:43] hold a hearing pursuant to 60 days for the town cold on the 14th day of

[1:03:47] September at 5:30 p.m.

[1:03:51] » So moved. >> Second.

[1:03:55] » Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:03:58] » I >> I'll entertain a motion on the amended

[1:04:01] resolution. >> So move.

[1:04:03] » Second >> discussion.

[1:04:06] All in favor? I >> I any opposed?

[1:04:11] » All right. And then we'll get to working tomorrow to figure out how to get the

[1:04:14] notification out. >> Okay. Thanks, Greg.

[1:04:17] » You're welcome. All right. Thank you. >> Um last two are pretty routine. Um our

[1:04:24] um we our our um facilities manager has um found someone he wants to hire to

[1:04:31] fill a vacancy. Can't

[1:04:35] I never know what to call you. Sorry. Uh, we had a we had an employee leave

[1:04:40] and he's found somebody that he wants to replace her with. Um, so I'll entertain

[1:04:44] a motion to accept the full-time building maintenance custodian

[1:04:49] appointment. >> So move.

[1:04:51] » Second. >> Any discussion? All in favor?

[1:04:54] » I. >> Any opposed? And next, our clerk has

[1:04:58] requested that we increase her petty cash fund from $50 to $100.

[1:05:05] » So moved. moved. >> Okay. Second.

[1:05:08] » A second. >> Any discussion?

[1:05:11] All in favor? >> I

[1:05:13] » I Any opposed? Um I am going to uh first we have additional comments.

[1:05:21] Yes, sir. >> Uh yeah, on your number seven.

[1:05:24] » Yeah, you need to come to the >> Okay.

[1:05:30] » Nice discussion. Item number seven, amendments to the water specifications.

[1:05:34] You mentioned something about a if they hooked up they had a well and hooked up

[1:05:37] to the water. What is all that about? >> It's that we don't want if you if you

[1:05:42] have an existing well and you hook up to the public water system

[1:05:45] » and what public water system we talking >> we don't want any cross contamination.

[1:05:49] The two systems need to be >> okay. What public water system are we

[1:05:53] speaking of right now? >> Right. You can keep your well but it

[1:05:56] can't be in any way connected to the public water.

[1:05:58] » My question is where is this public water at?

[1:06:00] » It's our our our water system. And we have public water.

[1:06:04] » We don't have public water. We need public water. We don't have it. Where

[1:06:07] are you talking about? >> We have a water district.

[1:06:09] » Yeah. But where is >> Well, we have Malta water district

[1:06:12] number one, which was the former Saratoga water services that the town of

[1:06:15] Malta bought a couple of years ago. And then we also have our Maltaville water

[1:06:20] district. The Malta water district number one is largely developments

[1:06:24] started in Luther Forest. It's all of the newer housing development.

[1:06:27] » But the Maltaville that came >> Maltville was a separate one. Yes. And

[1:06:31] you bought Luther's >> We bought water services, correct?

[1:06:35] » Okay. So, what made that more I mean, obviously studies on this, right,

[1:06:40] » to see why they needed water >> and everybody else had a well in in some

[1:06:45] cases. In most cases, that's not true. There's very few places in Malta Water

[1:06:49] District, number one, that that the existing customer has a well. Most of

[1:06:55] them were built, the homes were built and put on the

[1:06:59] public water and never had a well. But in so an example is my own house. Our

[1:07:03] house did not have water, but when High Point was built, they ran the water

[1:07:08] through our neighborhood. >> And so then I had water previously, my

[1:07:12] water was a well, and I had the opportunity then to hook up to municipal

[1:07:17] water and I did. So then we >> So the water that came to Maltville

[1:07:22] wasn't to existing houses. What are all which already had wells?

[1:07:27] » Yes, that that that is true. >> They had wells. They all had. I guess my

[1:07:31] question is so so you did a feasibility study for that area

[1:07:35] » at one point. Is that right? Is that >> did what's called a map plan report.

[1:07:39] Yeah. >> Did a what

[1:07:40] » past administrations handled that

[1:07:44] » but you're if I can understand your sorry Greg for a vote.

[1:07:48] » Yeah. >> Once it failed tried a second time and

[1:07:51] it passed.

[1:07:55] You know my question is different. >> It's different because it's very small.

[1:07:59] It's 37 homes. It's not You're proposing all of Malta Ridge.

[1:08:05] » Was 100, >> huh?

[1:08:06] » Only 37 homes were >> in the district.

[1:08:10] » It was planned for 100. >> There's only 37 homes in the Malta water

[1:08:15] district. 37 parcels. There's only 37 parcels in the Malta water district.

[1:08:20] Number one, again, prior administration, a whole different kind of scenario. So,

[1:08:26] » but the point is it was possible to do it once. We'll just ask.

[1:08:29] » You know what? I think it might be might be better served if if you have further

[1:08:33] questions about that. If we make an appointment and you come in and we'll

[1:08:36] get the maps out and I can I can show you exactly what Maltville looks like

[1:08:41] and and what the challenges are for you. So,

[1:08:43] » I just because when you said people have wells and you know, if you had a well,

[1:08:47] you couldn't or you had couldn't cross. We don't want to cross

[1:08:50] » the streams or whatever you're saying. Okay.

[1:08:52] » That issue. >> We don't we don't want, you know,

[1:08:56] the some the wellwater to mix with our, you know, our our if it's hard piped, it

[1:09:04] wouldn't >> not knowing what kind of contaminants

[1:09:06] may be in it and >> Okay.

[1:09:08] » Yeah. Yeah. The provision here is so where the water where the water pump is

[1:09:12] for our actual for the town's, you know, municipal water system. It draws water

[1:09:16] from somewhere. We don't want the we don't want potential backfill. So that's

[1:09:19] just that's safety for the water system. And your other question though is if if

[1:09:23] a feasibility study or whatever it was that led to that if it could be done

[1:09:27] there, could it be done uh up on your neighborhood? Correct.

[1:09:30] » What I'm asking you that's what I thought.

[1:09:33] » So the answer you'll have to tell me >> issues in that

[1:09:39] in that Malta bill district is they had to blast for exit. Um,

[1:09:48] » wow. >> 11 up there that five

[1:09:53] up there when global foundaries came in and due to some of that blasting it hurt

[1:10:01] their >> wells up.

[1:10:03] » I mean, allegedly >> they were compromised

[1:10:06] » from everything that I've heard [snorts] and I was part of that group to test

[1:10:12] that. So, >> but again, like I say, we might be

[1:10:14] better served if you want to come in and sit down and really

[1:10:16] » Yeah. Well, no, he knows exactly what my question is. Um, so yeah. All right.

[1:10:20] Well, I guess we'll see in the future. >> Yeah.

[1:10:23] » Thank you. >> Also, is um the bidding closed on that

[1:10:28] compliant uh ramp? >> Oh, yeah, it is. Okay.

[1:10:31] » Bids were due on >> a lot of money for concrete for 45

[1:10:35] years. That seems like a lot of money. >> It's I haven't seen it though, so I

[1:10:39] don't even know. But the bids are closed. It seems high and I will say

[1:10:42] though material costs are also high and so we shall see.

[1:10:46] » Yeah. Okay. Good luck with >> Thank you.

[1:10:48] » Thank you. >> Anybody else?

[1:10:52] » Yeah. Well, well, you and your neighbors both. It's okay.

[1:10:55] » I actually said it very well. Now, I just wanted to say uh Stefan Peltier

[1:10:59] Maltto, the uh one of the things that I did since many of you were not there

[1:11:03] when the multi program was was set is if you play on the internet a little bit,

[1:11:07] you can find a lot of information. So I did use AI and I made kind of a

[1:11:11] preliminary um study if you will comparing our situation versus the

[1:11:16] Maltville situation source of funding access and things of that nature. It's

[1:11:22] by no means it's more directional than anything but if any of you would be

[1:11:25] interested in seeing a copy of it it's you know it's about 10 pages long and uh

[1:11:30] » you have it electronically. >> I have it electronically as a PDF.

[1:11:33] » If you send it to me I'll forward it to the rest of the public. It's got

[1:11:35] interesting information and what the reason why I decided to step up is that

[1:11:39] one of the components of it considering the fire on Raleigh Road was one of the

[1:11:44] um extra benefits of having uh city water is the protection against fire as

[1:11:48] well. And since there's a lot of large properties on that street, it's also

[1:11:51] another added benefits on top of of course the essential uh drinking water.

[1:11:55] So uh so yeah, I'll make sure send it to me and I'll forward it to everybody

[1:11:59] else. Thank you. >> Thank you.

[1:12:01] » Anything else out there? Anybody? Talk about bad pennies. No, just

[1:12:07] kidding. I I I I'm happy people come.

[1:12:14] I'm happy you're involved and interested.

[1:12:18] Well, you know, I didn't come a lot before, but since April. [laughter]

[1:12:23] Um Karen Evanius again, Malta Ridge. Um going back to the Luther's Forest

[1:12:28] Athletic Field Lighting Project. Um as you said, I appreciate you going over

[1:12:32] it. Thank you. Um the $250,000 grant has been awarded. Um it's $620,000.

[1:12:39] Remaining money is 370 coming from the town park reserve. Um which you said has

[1:12:45] a approximate of 790,000. Um, given the town's other capital

[1:12:50] needs, the fact that Bolston Spa School District is also currently investing in

[1:12:54] athletic fields and field lighting, has the town evaluated whether there is an

[1:12:59] opportunity to coordinate with the school district or use existing

[1:13:02] facilities before committing $370,000 of park reserve funds to this project?

[1:13:08] And can the board explain how this project was prioritized over other

[1:13:12] current capital needs in the town? Thank you.

[1:13:21] question. >> Yeah, I you know, we haven't talked to

[1:13:24] the school district. This is a request, you know, and it was an improvement that

[1:13:29] actually was discussed by >> probably two boards ago. um you know was

[1:13:34] originally the project was originally proposed back in 2021 I believe

[1:13:39] » when we installed the softball lights >> for the [snorts] soft well and it

[1:13:44] included the you know if you recall one council member voted no on that because

[1:13:49] he wanted the whole facility to be lighted so so it's something that's been

[1:13:54] contemplated for quite some time. Any other comments from the public? Um, I'm

[1:14:00] going to ask that we go into an executive session.

[1:14:04] » It's just attorney client meeting. It's not

[1:14:06] » Oh, yeah. That's right. Sorry. And that's what I actually have on here. Um,

[1:14:10] that we'll go into an occurren attorney client meeting to discuss

[1:14:15] a possible pending uh litigation. And I will assure the public that no

[1:14:21] other business will be conducted tonight by this board. So, you don't have to all

[1:14:26] wait and see if we come back and do anything. So,

[1:14:31] It's not a motion to adjurnn. It's just motion to go into executive session.

[1:14:36] » Ajourn. >> Journ. Yeah.

[1:14:38] » Our attorney client is outside of the board.

[1:14:40] » All right. Motion to adjurnn. >> Second.

[1:14:47] » Two minutes. Still getting engaged. >> I need I need his contact. Jets one.

August 31st Malta Town Board Meeting: Budget Meeting Calendar, Water Authority Extension, & More

Transcript