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Minutes from July 12,  2005

SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 4783,  Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 12866

SSWNA.org

---- Meeting was held in the auditorium at Quad Graphics, 7pm.

---- Introduction of Officers

----  President Molly Gagne’ thanked guests who were in attendance including Supervisor Scirocco,  Lt. Mike Salsibury and Officer Tom Sartin. Since the Geyser School facility is not available during the summer,  Quad Graphics graciously  agreed to lend their meeting space.  Guided tours of the facility followed the meeting.

----Recording Secretary Cary Hickey presented minutes from May 10, 2005 meeting which were read and approved.

---- Corresponding Secretary, John Baldwin reported that  “thank yous” were sent to the following; 1.  Saratoga Water (water for Bike Rodeo)

                                2.  Stewarts Corp. (ice cream cards - Bike Rodeo)

                                3.  Commissioner Towne ( guest speaker)

                                4.  Commissioner McTygue ( street sign poles )

                                5.  Chief Moore  (Bike Rodeo)

                                6.  Principal Melodye Eldeen (use of Geyser School)

---- In the absence of Treasurer Arlene Fernandes,  Vice-President Joe Kearney gave us an update on our budget which was $926.50.    $32 was  spent on water for the bike rodeo leaving a balance of $894.50. 

 56 households have paid for 2005.  20 households participate but are not paid and, therefore, are not voting members.   Dues are $10 per household per year and members must be paid to be eligible to vote.

       Standing Committee reports - “Adopted issues”

---  Community Policing Program - Officer Andy Prestigiacomo, our community police officer,  was unable to attend.  Officer Tom Sartin was introduced and announced that he  recently became a  “neighbor” and a member of SWNA.  He and Lt. Salisbury reported that the mischief regarding the fire hydrants was taken care of and arrests were made.   The curfew is midnight for “under 18”.  Residents are encouraged to be watchful and call

584-1800 BEFORE  there is a problem.

 ---  Animal Control -  Bill Chisham  said there have been very few calls about dog problems so far this summer.  A few barking situations have been resolved and “all is quiet”.  There has been discussion about the City funding an additional animal control officer.  Additional staff could possibly help with a check of required licensing, which is not done now.  If anyone has questions or problems regarding neighborhood pets, please call Bill Chisham at  587-6875.

--- Tree Belt/Public Right-of-Way  ---  Molly Gagne’ reported the results of a F.O.I.L. request she made to the City Attorney, Matt Dorsey.  It asked how many violations of paving  the green space bordering city streets were reported to Code Enforcement by Department of Public Works since 1998.  The result to the F.O.I.L. was a letter (June 15) stating that there is “no record of violation complaints from the Department of Public Works”.   Code requires that any construction within the public right-of-way requires a permit from D.P.W.   No permits exist (F.O.I.L. April 2004) and no violations have been reported. There are about 50  paved right-of-ways around the city and the number grows each year.

--- Street Sign Poles and “Monday clean-up”- Sue Slawson’s letter got immediate results from DPW regarding the irregular posts being used to hold the street name signs.  All posts (approximately 10) have been replaced with the traditional round pole and they look very nice.  Members are reminded to “keep a look-out” for signs illegally attached to street signs, stop signs and lamp poles.  Garage sale signs are supposed to be on their own stake and be removed immediately after the event is over. Please help clean up the corners near your house!!

         Guest Speaker  - County Supervisor Scirocco

THANKS    ---    Supervisor Scirocco thanked member Jean Hall for her continuing efforts toward the “adopt-a-highway” program on Geyser Road.  Dedicated members have picked up many bags of litter in an effort to keep our neighborhood clean and beautiful.

BRIDGE   ---  The bridge on Geyser Road needs to be re-built or repaired.  It was built in 1956 and the county and railroad are both responsible for it.  There are about 12,000 cars a day passing over the bridge.  Federal assistance has been applied for and the project should be done in 2008.

 Member Matt Veitch mentioned the critical need for a sidewalk to help pedestrians and cyclists pass over the bridge  ....everyone agreed!!!!!!

Semi-trucks and “jake-breaking” --  in response to a letter from member Don Peters,  Skip reported that a ban on this method of braking, which causes a huge noise disturbance,  is unlikely.  He did speak with trucking supervisors and it may be possible to get cooperation from the truckers to avoid using “jake brakes” on Geyser Road.  Skip suggested that the SWNA draft a letter to the local transport carriers asking for cooperation.

Dog Licensing  --  in his other capacity as animal control officer,  a short discussion was held about  unlicensed dogs.  A dog over 4 months of age must be vaccinated and licensed.   Skip is willing to set up a vaccination/licensing clinic.

 At 7:45 the meeting adjourned and members split into 3 groups to tour the Quad Graphics facility.  All were amazed at the technology and the size of the printing plant, all within our Southwest Neighborhood.  Quad employees answered questions and gave us magazines “hot off the press”.

   Next meeting --- September 20 

(Third Tuesday because of a Primary election)

 Geyser School cafeteria, 7pm. 

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