Speculator VB May 11 2020
Fourth of July in doubt in Speculator
By PETE KLEIN
SPECULATOR—At the May 11 meeting of the Speculator Village Bord of Trustees and with the restrictions COVID-19 has brought on, including prohibiting large social gatherings, requiring social distancing, and wearing masks in public, a discussion of different possibilities for our areas Fourth of July celebration was conducted.
Mayor Barrett invited Richelle Martz and Donna Benkovich to speak about the parade. At this point, having a traditional parade is improbable, so the Parade Committee has come up with a few ideas to continue to have a festive Fourth of July but still stay safe and healthy and well within the Governor’s orders. The first idea is to have a reverse parade where floats are lines up on the road and people drive by to view them. The second idea is to have a pop-up parade where people sign up to make floats, construct and show them on their property and a map would be provided for people who want to drive around to view them. Both options have been brought to the public for comment and will be discussed at the next parade committee meeting. Additionally, the Speculator fireworks scheduled for the evening of July fourth is also being discussed to try to find a way to conduct the fireworks but stay within the Governor’s orders to social distance and wear masks. Thoughts of having people view the fireworks from various points on and around the lake while staying in their vehicle or boat was discussed as well as the idea of having the fireworks set off from the top of Oak Mountain. The matter was tabled to a next meeting to better gather ideas and information.
In conversation with Barry Baker, Hamilton County Real Property Tax department, to process the 2020 Tax Levy, an error was found in the amount for the 2019 Tax Levy. It was confirmed the approved and adopted budget for 2019-20 had increased the amount to be levied from $865,962 to $876,294, an increase of $10,332. The Real Property Tax department received correspondence from the former Clerk – Treasurer incorrectly providing the 2018-2019 budget summary, leaving the amount to be raised by taxes the same as 2018 and resulting in a shortfall of $10,332. Additionally, after looking through paper documents, binders and electronic files, no documentation certifying the tax levy could be found. Knowing the year will be completed with a fund balance in excess of the $10,332 shortfall, FEMA reimbursement expected in the next few months and increased revenues from Verizon small cell tower, we remain in good standing to keep the tax levy at a zero percent increase.
Two resolutions were presented to correct this mistake; 1) Resolution to amend the 2019-2020 Budget to reduce A1001 – Real Property Tax collected from $876,294 to $865,962 and decrease A8160.4 – Refuse Collection and Disposal from $24,650 to $14,318; 2) Resolution to amend the 2020-2021 budget to reduce A1001 – Real Property Tax from $876,294 to $865,962 and increase the appropriated fund balance from $31,316.76 to $41,648.76 and to take corrective actions to ensure the timely and accurate execution of tax warrants in the future.
Trustee Donecker made a motion to accept the resolution to amend 2019-2020 Budget to correct tax levy error. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to accept the resolution to amend 2020-2021 Budget to correct tax levy error. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Verizon has sent documentation to complete the agreement between the Village and Verizon Wireless for several small cell towers. The documentation received is as follows: Verizon Lease agreement indicating that Verizon will be paying a total annual rental fee of $2,400 to be paid in advance on the commencement date and on each anniversary.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to authorize Mayor Barrett to sign the agreement on behalf of the Village. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Trustee Crary made a motion to approve the resolution for the Verizon Lease Agreement. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A Memorandum of lease agreement providing the recording of the agreement to the County Clerk.
Trustee Donecker made a motion to authorize Mayor Barrett to sign the memorandum on behalf of the Village. Trustee Rudes seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A Resolution form the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was needed to confirm the declaration the project will not result in any significant environmental impact and hereby issues a negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA with reasons supporting the negative declaration.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to approve the resolution for the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) as provided. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A tax return form as Grantor to be filed with Verizon containing information about the Village including its EIN number.
The final draft of the Speculator Employee Handbook was distributed in the previous week containing all edits, additions, corrections, policies, and forms referenced in the document. Mayor Barrett asked for any additional comments on the employee handbook, and without any further discussion the handbook was approved and to become effective May 12, 2020.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to approve and accept the Speculator Employee Handbook final draft for implementation effective May 12, 2020. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
WATER/WASTEWATER
Edward Scharpou, WWTP Chief Operator, submitted a written report. Additional commentary was made as follows:
There was a break at the Wolfe complex on May 11. The issue was resolved but at some point, the line will need to be replaced according to current standards and guidelines; originally it was installed with insufficient materials. Scharpou is still trying to confirm ownership.
Hydrants will be flushed this week and many calls are coming for meter installations, the water department is attempting to do this when the homeowners are not present, if this is not possible then they wear their masks.
After Mayor Jeannette Barrett spoke to Garry Gifford with OSC office in Glens Falls about the potential impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on water and sewer revenues, Mayor Barrett, Scharpou and Clerk Crystal O’Brien had a meeting to discuss the potential impact. Scharpou and O’Brien are in the process of putting together calculations for the past two years to try to estimate those potential losses and be able to present different scenarios to the Board.
Progress continues on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project and is coming close to being completed. Scharpou has been working with Lamont Engineers to potentially combine the next two phases into one project. There is some hesitancy from the Board on combining these phases, so a meeting will be scheduled to discuss this with Mayor Barrett, Trustee Donecker, Scharpou and Becker from Lamont.
CLERK’S REPORT
O’Brien presented the Clerk Report. Additional commentary was made as follows:
Elections for the Village have been postponed to September 15, 2020. Current terms of office will continue until elections are held and certified when the newly elected officials can take office. Additional Absentee ballot guidance has yet to be given. Notices will again have to be posted to the paper and locally. Voter registration is extended. The Village’s official year does not change, it still began in April. The organizational meeting will take place after elections have been certified.
The website will continue to be updated regularly with only slight delays with required recordings and the transcriptions of meetings needing to be posted.
Conversations with the Hamilton County Real Property Tax Department to begin the process for the 2020 Taxes.
Like Scharpou said in his report, Stacey Farina and O’Brien got together and mailed out the quarterly water and sewer bills with the annual water quality report last week.
OLD BUSINESS
COVID-19 update included new temporary signs with a sturdy backing have been posted at the Village Parks with a big thank you to Heather Philo and Lake Pleasant School for printing and laminating those signs for us. We have currently 4 confirmed cases in the county, three are isolated and one is at a nursing home. We are still waiting for guidance from the state on camps, beaches, and resorts. Farmers markets are considered essential with social distancing and Campgrounds will be opening in June with limited resources while many summer events are left in limbo or canceled due to the amount of people or the ability to social distance.
All the FEMA workforce, resource, and equipment documentation for CAT A – debris removal and CAT B – emergency protective measures have been submitted; donated resources are the next to be submitted then administrative costs. A public thank you to Monique Simmons from FEMA and George Shongar from NYSDHES for all their help in this process.
Mayor Barrett is waiting to hear back from NYPA.
BOARD ROUND TABLE
Trustee Donecker commented on the impact the fireworks may have on the community and businesses in our area.
Mayor Barrett advised the Board the Department of Transportation is beginning repair of the sink holes by drainage gates on Route 30 Tuesday May 12, 2020. Mayor Barrett also stated she is in the process of identifying grants that the Village can apply for that will support the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades as they relate to the required updates to the SPEDES Permit. She will also be having a meeting with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Pleasant Supervisor Bain and Oak Mountain to discuss a Recreational Management Plan relating to trails in our area with much interest to revitalize and create more family friendly recreational opportunities for locals and visitors.
This article is based upon minutes provided by Crystal O’Brien, Village Clerk – Treasurer.
Fourth of July in doubt in Speculator
By PETE KLEIN
SPECULATOR—At the May 11 meeting of the Speculator Village Bord of Trustees and with the restrictions COVID-19 has brought on, including prohibiting large social gatherings, requiring social distancing, and wearing masks in public, a discussion of different possibilities for our areas Fourth of July celebration was conducted.
Mayor Barrett invited Richelle Martz and Donna Benkovich to speak about the parade. At this point, having a traditional parade is improbable, so the Parade Committee has come up with a few ideas to continue to have a festive Fourth of July but still stay safe and healthy and well within the Governor’s orders. The first idea is to have a reverse parade where floats are lines up on the road and people drive by to view them. The second idea is to have a pop-up parade where people sign up to make floats, construct and show them on their property and a map would be provided for people who want to drive around to view them. Both options have been brought to the public for comment and will be discussed at the next parade committee meeting. Additionally, the Speculator fireworks scheduled for the evening of July fourth is also being discussed to try to find a way to conduct the fireworks but stay within the Governor’s orders to social distance and wear masks. Thoughts of having people view the fireworks from various points on and around the lake while staying in their vehicle or boat was discussed as well as the idea of having the fireworks set off from the top of Oak Mountain. The matter was tabled to a next meeting to better gather ideas and information.
In conversation with Barry Baker, Hamilton County Real Property Tax department, to process the 2020 Tax Levy, an error was found in the amount for the 2019 Tax Levy. It was confirmed the approved and adopted budget for 2019-20 had increased the amount to be levied from $865,962 to $876,294, an increase of $10,332. The Real Property Tax department received correspondence from the former Clerk – Treasurer incorrectly providing the 2018-2019 budget summary, leaving the amount to be raised by taxes the same as 2018 and resulting in a shortfall of $10,332. Additionally, after looking through paper documents, binders and electronic files, no documentation certifying the tax levy could be found. Knowing the year will be completed with a fund balance in excess of the $10,332 shortfall, FEMA reimbursement expected in the next few months and increased revenues from Verizon small cell tower, we remain in good standing to keep the tax levy at a zero percent increase.
Two resolutions were presented to correct this mistake; 1) Resolution to amend the 2019-2020 Budget to reduce A1001 – Real Property Tax collected from $876,294 to $865,962 and decrease A8160.4 – Refuse Collection and Disposal from $24,650 to $14,318; 2) Resolution to amend the 2020-2021 budget to reduce A1001 – Real Property Tax from $876,294 to $865,962 and increase the appropriated fund balance from $31,316.76 to $41,648.76 and to take corrective actions to ensure the timely and accurate execution of tax warrants in the future.
Trustee Donecker made a motion to accept the resolution to amend 2019-2020 Budget to correct tax levy error. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to accept the resolution to amend 2020-2021 Budget to correct tax levy error. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Verizon has sent documentation to complete the agreement between the Village and Verizon Wireless for several small cell towers. The documentation received is as follows: Verizon Lease agreement indicating that Verizon will be paying a total annual rental fee of $2,400 to be paid in advance on the commencement date and on each anniversary.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to authorize Mayor Barrett to sign the agreement on behalf of the Village. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
Trustee Crary made a motion to approve the resolution for the Verizon Lease Agreement. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A Memorandum of lease agreement providing the recording of the agreement to the County Clerk.
Trustee Donecker made a motion to authorize Mayor Barrett to sign the memorandum on behalf of the Village. Trustee Rudes seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A Resolution form the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) was needed to confirm the declaration the project will not result in any significant environmental impact and hereby issues a negative declaration pursuant to SEQRA with reasons supporting the negative declaration.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to approve the resolution for the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) as provided. Trustee Crary seconded and the motion was passed with the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
A tax return form as Grantor to be filed with Verizon containing information about the Village including its EIN number.
The final draft of the Speculator Employee Handbook was distributed in the previous week containing all edits, additions, corrections, policies, and forms referenced in the document. Mayor Barrett asked for any additional comments on the employee handbook, and without any further discussion the handbook was approved and to become effective May 12, 2020.
Trustee Rudes made a motion to approve and accept the Speculator Employee Handbook final draft for implementation effective May 12, 2020. Trustee Donecker seconded and the motion was passed by the following vote: aye – Barrett, Crary, Donecker and Rudes nays – none. Trustee McComb absent.
WATER/WASTEWATER
Edward Scharpou, WWTP Chief Operator, submitted a written report. Additional commentary was made as follows:
There was a break at the Wolfe complex on May 11. The issue was resolved but at some point, the line will need to be replaced according to current standards and guidelines; originally it was installed with insufficient materials. Scharpou is still trying to confirm ownership.
Hydrants will be flushed this week and many calls are coming for meter installations, the water department is attempting to do this when the homeowners are not present, if this is not possible then they wear their masks.
After Mayor Jeannette Barrett spoke to Garry Gifford with OSC office in Glens Falls about the potential impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on water and sewer revenues, Mayor Barrett, Scharpou and Clerk Crystal O’Brien had a meeting to discuss the potential impact. Scharpou and O’Brien are in the process of putting together calculations for the past two years to try to estimate those potential losses and be able to present different scenarios to the Board.
Progress continues on the wastewater treatment plant upgrade project and is coming close to being completed. Scharpou has been working with Lamont Engineers to potentially combine the next two phases into one project. There is some hesitancy from the Board on combining these phases, so a meeting will be scheduled to discuss this with Mayor Barrett, Trustee Donecker, Scharpou and Becker from Lamont.
CLERK’S REPORT
O’Brien presented the Clerk Report. Additional commentary was made as follows:
Elections for the Village have been postponed to September 15, 2020. Current terms of office will continue until elections are held and certified when the newly elected officials can take office. Additional Absentee ballot guidance has yet to be given. Notices will again have to be posted to the paper and locally. Voter registration is extended. The Village’s official year does not change, it still began in April. The organizational meeting will take place after elections have been certified.
The website will continue to be updated regularly with only slight delays with required recordings and the transcriptions of meetings needing to be posted.
Conversations with the Hamilton County Real Property Tax Department to begin the process for the 2020 Taxes.
Like Scharpou said in his report, Stacey Farina and O’Brien got together and mailed out the quarterly water and sewer bills with the annual water quality report last week.
OLD BUSINESS
COVID-19 update included new temporary signs with a sturdy backing have been posted at the Village Parks with a big thank you to Heather Philo and Lake Pleasant School for printing and laminating those signs for us. We have currently 4 confirmed cases in the county, three are isolated and one is at a nursing home. We are still waiting for guidance from the state on camps, beaches, and resorts. Farmers markets are considered essential with social distancing and Campgrounds will be opening in June with limited resources while many summer events are left in limbo or canceled due to the amount of people or the ability to social distance.
All the FEMA workforce, resource, and equipment documentation for CAT A – debris removal and CAT B – emergency protective measures have been submitted; donated resources are the next to be submitted then administrative costs. A public thank you to Monique Simmons from FEMA and George Shongar from NYSDHES for all their help in this process.
Mayor Barrett is waiting to hear back from NYPA.
BOARD ROUND TABLE
Trustee Donecker commented on the impact the fireworks may have on the community and businesses in our area.
Mayor Barrett advised the Board the Department of Transportation is beginning repair of the sink holes by drainage gates on Route 30 Tuesday May 12, 2020. Mayor Barrett also stated she is in the process of identifying grants that the Village can apply for that will support the Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades as they relate to the required updates to the SPEDES Permit. She will also be having a meeting with the Department of Environmental Conservation, Lake Pleasant Supervisor Bain and Oak Mountain to discuss a Recreational Management Plan relating to trails in our area with much interest to revitalize and create more family friendly recreational opportunities for locals and visitors.
This article is based upon minutes provided by Crystal O’Brien, Village Clerk – Treasurer.
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