Minutes from January 11, 2005
SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 4783
,
Saratoga Springs
,
N.Y.
12866
SSWNA.org
----
Meeting was held in the cafeteria of
Geyser
Road
School
,
7pm
.
----
Introduction of Officers
----
President Molly Gagne’ thanked guests who were in attendance including
Mayor Michael Lenz, Deputy Mayor Alicia Wardell,
Commissioner Tom Curley, Deputy Commissioner Erin Dreyer of the Public Safety
Dept. and Officer Michael Salisbury
(S.S.P.D.). It was reported that
member Bill Chisham is making steady progress in
recovering from his accident. Also “congratulations” to Allen and Joan
Joyner whose daughter was married last weekend.
---
Vice President Joe
Kearney spoke about the fundamental reasons for SWNA’s
existence and how we are a group of people from different political backgrounds.
He reminded us that our organization should not vote on what may be perceived as
“political issues”. It is our
purpose to present information through guest speakers and notices of public
meetings in the community. (example- proposal by
Commissioner McTygue to add $2 to water bills as
“insurance” covering repairs of water lines at the property/street line. )
Then we strongly encourage members to express their opinions through
letters, e-mails, phone calls and by voting.
----
Recording
Secretary, Cary Hickey presented minutes from
Nov. 9, 2004
meeting which were read and approved
----
Corresponding Secretary, John Baldwin
reported that Public Safety Commissioner Tom Curley sent a letter to Quad
Graphics, reminding employees to abide by speed limits as they go to and from
work.
----
Treasurer, Arlene Fernandes reported the balance, as
of
1/1/05
was $370.50. Dues for year 2005 have thus far
totaled $330.00. There were no expenses. The total in the account is now
$706.50. Dues are being accepted for 2005. Dues are $10 per household per year
and members must be paid to be eligible to vote.
Dues
for 2005 are now being accepted.
Dues will remain at $10.00 per household per year. Dues must be paid to
be eligible to vote.
GUEST
SPEAKER - Mayor Michael Lenz and Deputy Alicia Wardell.
A recap of 2004 included
;
DOWNTOWN
PARKING - we will partner with the county to off-set
costs for creation of new parking sites. A new parking deck will
be built behind Adirondack Trust Bank and expected completion is summer 2005.
It will offer 120 new parking spaces. Each parking space costs $15,000.
There is a fund set up for “parking”.
LAND
- a few parcels of land were bought by the city with the plan to sell them for
development if the plan meets the needs of the city. Hopefully an indoor
recreation facility site will be identified soon so that construction can begin
by 2006. (Members questioned if
Geyser
Park
had been considered for an indoor facility, since
it was already city-owned, provided the “campus- setting for recreation and is
in close proximity to a large city residential population. It could provide an
office for the S.W. community police officer.
The Mayor was not sure if the idea had been explored but said he would
“check into it”.)
WATER
- The Mayor feels the Hudson River (as opposed to Saratoga Lake) is a better
source of water for several reasons, but mostly “financial”. We would only
be paying for “water used”. The
Mayor feels that users should pay according to how much they use.
Skidmore
College
uses the most water and Town of
Wilton
is second. He
feels we will not need additional water for at least 6 or 7 years and, even
then, the river will be used as a supplemental water source.
CITY
CENTER-
The facility needs to expand to “keep up with
the times”.
STANDING
COMMITTEE REPORTS
----Community Policing -
Mark
Lyon introduced Public Safety Commissioner Tom Curley.
Commissioner Curley announced that Officer Andy Prestigiacomo,
known as “Officer Andy”, will regularly be assigned to the Southwest
Neighborhood. Officer Andy will
have some flexibility of hours but basically be in the neighborhood from
4pm
to
midnight
. Please
introduce yourselves to him and speak to him about any concerns or suggestions
you may have. If you want Officer
Andy to contact you, leave a message with the Police Dept. at 584-1800.
Members complimented Public Safety and the Police Dept. for the excellent
organization of the Victorian Street Walk.
Member Devon Dalpos expressed appreciation
from the neighbors in the new “Evergreen Pointe” for the stop signs that
were installed.
Devon
was also grateful that secretary John Baldwin had
written a “thank you” to Quad Graphics. Russ Lehr asked the Commissioner
about potential danger arising with the nearby railroad transporting hazardous
materials. Russ was already aware
of minor derailments in the area this past year.
Commissioner Curley promised he would check into it but he felt that the
CP Railway has been “upfront and honest with the Saratoga Police”.
ROUTE
50 SIGN - CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS - Molly Gagne’ reported that the “City of
Saratoga Springs” sign will be taken out of storage and placed at its proper
location in the Spring, as promised by D.O.T.
STOP
SIGN at
VICHY
and HAYES - John Baldwin reported that the two
signs are now in place and SWNA has already received compliments on getting the
problem corner made safer. A
“thank you” was sent to
Public Safety.
MULTI-USE
TRAIL- Molly Gagne’ reported that she and member Matt Veitch
have had personal meetings with each Commissioner to explain the concept of the
multi-use trail and answer any questions. A request for
“endorsement of the concept’ will be the next step before the City Council.
HOUSEHOLD
DEBRIS - Diana Bradley reminded members that Code Enforcement (K.Veitch
& D.Cogan) requests they be contacted if dumping
of debris occurs on properties. Code
Enforcement ( 587-3550 ext.634 ) It was noted that a
pile of household debris is on Quevic Dr. near the
trail to the RR Tracks.
Opinion
expressed that “boats and campers stored in front yards can be as offensive as
“debris” and also devalues a neighborhood.
Old
Business ---
--News
Box -- Public safety required The Saratogian to
remove the illegally placed new box at Tiffany and
Geyser Rd.
NEW
BUSINESS - Report of construction
dumpster (more than 6 months) positioned in a front yard on
Hathorn
Blvd.
and a
“storage pod” (6 months?) in a front yard on
Trottingham
Rd.
Requests
made to Public Safety to order removal of both. It was observed that bringing a
shed onto a property requires
permits and yet these unsightly structures remain without permits.
ELECTION-
Uncontested positions- Vice
president, Joe Kearney
Recording Secretary,
Cary
Hickey
Single
ballot cast by Jean Hall
adjourn
8:45
Next Meeting -
March 8, 2005
(2nd
Tues)
