Minutes from May 10, 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 Public Safety Commissioner Curley, Saratoga Springs Police Chief Moore, Investigator Levanites, Sgt. Mullan, Lt. Salisbury, Patrolman Joe Carey and Patrolman Andy Prestigiacomo, who is our community police officer. Invited guest speakers, Commissioner of Accounts Stephen Towne and Assistant Assessor Tony Popolizio were recognized. Member Bill Chisham was also welcomed back after a lengthy recuperation.

----Recording Secretary Cary Hickey presented minutes from January 11, 2005 meeting which were read and approved.

---- Corresponding Secretary, John Baldwin reported that a “thank you” was sent to Mayor Lenz for addressing our January meeting.

---- Treasurer Arlene Fernandes reported the balance, as of 5/10/05 is $856.50.  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 reported that 70% of his time is spent in the Southwest Neighborhood.  He announced a Bike Rodeo is being held by the Police Department at Geyser School on June 11 (Saturday) from 10 until 2. It was explained that City Code requires that all bikes be registered and that “registration” enables the Police department to locate owners of lost or stolen bikes. Unclaimed bikes are auctioned off every year because owners cannot be located using a registration number.   Safety checks will be available for bikes and helmets.  The event is cost free.

 ---  Animal Control -  Bill Chisham  is working with the city animal control officer on the problem of unlicensed dogs. Bill also announced that the County Animal shelter provides free rabies shots for pets.  If anyone has questions or problems regarding neighborhood pets, please call Bill Chisham at 587-6875.

---  Multi-Use Trail -  Matt Veitch reports that all the City Commissioners have been visited regarding the proposed multi-use trail on Geyser Road.  All have expressed support for a safe trail connecting our neighborhood to the State Park and Saratoga’s downtown.  The next step is arranging a meeting with a local “trail expert”. Then we will ask the City Council for an official “vote of support”. It was also noted that a letter was sent to Supervisor of Milton, Frank Thompson.  Mr. Thompson communicated that Milton has “a five year plan” for the Geyser Road area and that plan includes completing the sidewalk to the Milton/Saratoga line. Portions of Geyser Road sidewalk have already been constructed on newly developed property.

--- Route 50 Sign - Molly Gagne’ reported that   a “City of Saratoga Springs” sign has finally been placed, by N.Y. State D.O.T., at the boundary on Route 50 (Town of Milton line). Now visitors will be informed when they enter our city limits from the south.

--- Adopt-a Highway- Between the showers, Earth Day clean-up of Geyser Rd. was completed April 22 - 24.  “Thanks” go to our organizer, Jean Hall and members who participated (Cathie Commerford, Mary Beth Delarm, Mary and Bob Dudley, Paul Haydock, Frank Carioto, Raoul and Molly Gagne’ and John, Nacoda and Holly Meredith. Members are encouraged to bring a litter bag as they walk along Geyser Road. Keeping the roadside clean before mowing season begins is especially important. 

--- Train Derailment Plan - Russ Lehr reported that there was a local derailment on January 13, 2005.  Russ is gathering information on what kind of plan and warning system is in place for the community.

--- Street Sign Poles and “Monday clean-up”- Sue Slawson has been in touch with D.P.W. regarding a few irregular street sign poles.  She wrote a letter to Commissioner McTygue requesting that all poles posting the names of our neighborhood streets be the traditional round poles.  In response to her request, Sue will fax the locations of the irregular poles (perhaps 5 or 6).  Also, Sue requests that EVERYONE lend a hand in keeping the street corners clean of old garage sale signs. Please remove old signs and throw them out, or return them to their owner. “Off-site” realty signs are never permitted, except for a temporary “open-house” sign that must be removed when the event is over.

OLD BUSINESS

--- STORAGE CONTAINER ORDINANCE ENACTED - The Public Safety Department reacted positively to S.W.N.A.’s  request for new legislation to control the use of temporary storage containers within neighborhoods.  Public Safety, the City Attorney’s Office and the Office of Risk Management worked together to draft a new ordinance and it was adopted unanimously by the City Council. Locations of large temporary storage containers need to be reported to the Code Enforcement Office. (587-3550 ext.634) or email kevin.veitch@saratoga-springs.org

---Evergreen Point Update - Cathy Madigan has been in communication with the City, the school district and the builder to find out what has to be done to get the new streets “accepted” so school bus service can be provided

--- Household Debris - MaryBeth Delarm  reports improvement in the debris pile on Quevic Drive.  She is concerned that some pieces of furniture may have been moved into the woods nearby. Long-standing piles of debris at the roadside should be reported to Code Enforcement or Officer Andy.

---Car repair business - It has been reported that a private residence on Geyser Road appears to be operating a car repair business.  The property is not zoned  “commercial”, which would seem to make the owner in violation.  Kevin Veitch (Code Enforcement) has been contacted about this situation.

NEW BUSINESS

---Lighting for Geyser Park- Matt Veitch is going to investigate rumors of a plan for lighting the rec field.  Will it impact nearby neighbors? 

---Truck Brakes- Linnea Peters reported that husband Don Peters is looking into the situation of 18 wheelers who “jake brake” on Geyser Road.  Ballston Spa is working on an ordinance to prohibit such a kind of braking. Don has been communicating with Supervisor Scirocco regarding this problem.

--- Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Committee meeting dates anounced.

---NYRA Summer Job interview schedule announced.

--- Yard Debris - as of May 1st, all leaves, sticks and clippings must be in paper bags or containers. NO dumping on the streets until Fall collection time begins. Questions? call D.P.W. (587-3550)                               

GUEST SPEAKERS

                  Commissioner of Accounts Stephen Towne     

            and      Assistant Assessor Tony Popolizio.

-The Commissioner reinforced the importance of obtaining a dog license from his office. It ensures that dogs have required inoculations.

-Suggested the lighting plan for Geyser Rec Field may be a good idea.

- Explained that if anyone wants to get an item on the City Council agenda, you need to ask a commissioner to “sponsor” your topic. It does not necessarily mean the Commissioner endorses your topic but feels it merits discussion.

- What is handled in the ACCOUNTS OFFICE?

   1.  Records Management

   2. Vital statistics (marriage, death etc.)

   3. City Clerk function-licenses issued

   4. Purchasing for the city

   5. Risk and Safety Management

   6. Assessments -evaluation

        Detailed explanation was given for recent reassessments. N.Y. State requirements explained. Saratoga Springs is experiencing financial problems.

Assistant Assessor Tony Popolizio presented facts about tax information. 70% of our taxes are school taxes. He said stricter building permit process is going into effect. It is hoped that a new N.Y. State law will soon be adopted regarding condos and taxes paid.

     Members had many questions regarding taxes and assessments.  The Commissioner graciously agreed to stay past our 8:30 ending time to answer more questions.  The meeting concluded about 9:15.

Important note