Minutes from March 14

Minutes from March 14, 2006

SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

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

SSWNA.org

---- Meeting was held at Geyser School cafeteria, 7pm.

---- Introduction of Officers - officers in attendance; Molly Gagné (president), Joe Kearney (vice president), Arlene Fernandes (treasurer),

John Baldwin (corresponding secretary) - not present,

Cary Hickey (recording secretary)- not present.

Minutes were recorded by Jean Hall

----Meeting called to order by President Molly Gagné

Items covered:

1. Regretfully announced the passing of neighbor Jack Kelly

who lived on Casino Drive.

2. Explanation given about disappearance of signs for

Planning Board meeting and SWNA meeting that

disappeared 1/9/06. They were removed

by City Code Enforcement following a complaint .

----Vice President Joe Kearney followed up on the recent windstorm and power outages. Supervisor Cheryl Keyrouze was contacted by Police Sgt. Jack King. Volunteers were being sought to do a door-to-door check of neighbors, making them aware of the emergency shelter and transportation, if needed. Volunteers also reminded neighbors of danger when using space heaters. Joe Kearney, Jean Hall, Lori and Mike McCarron volunteered as members of SWNA. A “thank you” was read that appeared in The Saratogian, commending SWNA members for their effort. Sgt. King expressed appreciation to SWNA volunteers. It was suggested that we establish a roster of members willing to help in any future emergency. A sheet was passed for member volunteers who have a “land line” phone in their house.

---- Minutes from January 10, 2006 were accepted as presented.

---- Treasurer Arlene Fernandes reported a balance of $1,220.50 in the account. Membership collections end March 31.

Old Business

----Animal Control - Member Bill Chisham is working on obtaining signs publicizing the “pooper scooper” law. Bill reported that his effort will be coordinated with the Public Safety Department and the Department of Public Works.

----Derelict Cars -Member Jerry Huffman absent. Molly reported that Jerry has obtained the copy of NYS and City Code and he will be meeting with the City Attorney and Commissioner Kim for any clarification.

----Adopt-a-Roadside - Member Jean Hall announced a Spring clean-up for April 22 at 9:30am. This date will coincide with earth Day which is April 20th. Volunteers should meet on Eureka Dr. and bring gloves.

Jean also reminded everyone that there are many homes that do not have house numbers displayed. This is a violation of code. Numbers are important since it can save critical minutes for emergency response personnel. Member Lynn Goodness cited a recent emergency call to 911 for Ballston Spa and the dispatchers directed the response to Clifton Park. Lynn suggests that anyone who has Time Warner digital package (internet, tv, phone) verify that their address is entered correctly in the database. The company is said to have a 30% error rate.

----Community Policing Program -Neighborhood Officer Jason Tetu introduced Sgt. M. Chowske

Officer Tetu confirmed the address problem with the Time Warner database ( 5 issues with 911 calls sent to incorrect addresses). Calls go through Sprint. Users are advised to call the Time Warner Business office to confirm your address.

Officer Tetu recommended residents assemble an emergency survival kit for instances such as power outages. He said to keep the kit in a well known location and rehearse a plan with family members.

Officer Tetu said traffic violations in the SW Neighborhood are down. Issues such as trailers left on streets, parking in the wrong direction and “speed zone” at Geyser School were discussed. He asked that residents contact him with concerns or suggestions at

jtetu@saratogapolice.org

copy to msalisbury@saratogapolice.org

Member Mary Beth Delarm questioned why the city did not have a shelter during the power outage. Lynn Goodness stated that the Senior Citizen’s Center now has a grant which will be used to obtain a generator, making it a possible shelter site.

Multi-Use Trail - Member Matt Veitch explained the proposed trail ideas and work to ensure that the plans for the railroad bridge take the trail into consideration. Grants will be sought and state bond money, which is 20% city funded, 80% State. Assemblyman Tedisco and the County Planning Board have been contacted. Matt would like members to contact him with ideas regarding the trail. Member Eric Lacoppola said he expects to have budgetary figures ready by the next meeting. Eric is meeting with P.L.A.N. for assistance.

Guest Speakers

Matt McCabe, Commissioner of Finance, introduced his Deputy Lyn Bachner. The Commissioner explained the city’s budgetary process in a way we all found interesting. He spoke of lobbying in Albany to obtain a fair share of revenue from the Race Course and Racino. Unfunded mandates greatly affect the budget.

Commissioner McCabe formed a Team Saratoga Transportation Committee and is seeking public input for ways to improve the transportation system. Surveys were passed out by Thilo Ullmann which can be returned by mail or email.

“Impact fees, sales tax and recreation user fees” were also discussed.

Rick Lederer - Environmental Scientist and Assistant Planner from Behan Planning Associates.

Rick explained the Green Infrastructure Plan (Open Space Plan) that is being prepared for Saratoga County, and how it impacts our southwest neighborhood. The plan includes working landscapes (farms), natural systems, cultural landscapes, trails and recreation lands. He presented maps showing plans for (and existing) trails. Details were given on the important significance of the sand dune on Geyser Road which is a remnant of Glacial Lake Albany, dating back to prehistoric times.

More input is sought for plans to use the open space property purchased by the City (2005) on Route 50, within the boundaries of the southwest neighborhood. More information is available on the web site:

Behanplanning.com

New Business

- Matt Veitch plans to clean up the overgrown brush at the Cady Hill Cemetery near the railroad tracks on April 30. A sign-up sheet for members was passed around.

- Supervisor Cheryl Keyrouse announced there will be a public hearing on the D.E.I.S. on March 16 at 7pm in the county bldg. #5. The document can be viewed at the library.

- member Lori McCarron reported on the sand dune restoration. She was asked by D.E.C. to wait until decisions were made on the proposed sub-division. Further investigation is planned to see if the area near Geyser Road is owned by the county, as indicated on a map in the City Planner’s office. Cathie Commerford passed out booklets from the County Soil and Water Conservation Dept. for their annual tree and shrub sale.

-member Matt Veitch, answering a request from city historian Maryanne Fitzgerald, agreed to be historian for the southwest neighborhood.

- member Bob Spratt, who is chairman of the Recreation Commission, announced that two sets of lights are planned for the Geyser Recreation Field. “lights out’ by 11pm. He also said Weible Ave. is being considered for the new City Rec Center.

“Questions and Comments” ...Lynn Goodness questioned the SWNA Board’s (12/06/05) decision not to have a presentation about a change of City government from the Commission form. President Molly Gagné explained the need for all guest speakers to be specific to the neighborhood, not the community at large. She assured Lynn that his request can re-examined by the board.

non- agenda report

A member was called out-of-order but continued with a statement of personal attack. The written statement was not submitted before or after the meeting.

Meeting adjourned 9pm.

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Next meeting --- May 9, 2006 Geyser School ...... 7pm.

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