Minutes from  November 15,  2005

SOUTHWEST NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 4783,  Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 1286 6

SSWNA.org

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

---- Introduction of Officers - officers in attendance; Molly Gagne’(president), Joe Kearney (vice president), Arlene Fernandes (treasurer), John Baldwin (corresponding secretary)

Officer not present -  Cary Hickey (recording secretary).

----President Molly Gagne’ presented minutes from September 20, 2005 meeting which were read and approved. 

      A “Green Infrastructure Series” is being sponsored by Saratoga County.  The next meeting, which includes plans for our city, will be held at the Malta Community Center  on Thurs. Nov. 17 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. County-wide planning for multi-use trails will be part of this presentation.

----Vice President Joe Kearney  told members that, in the interest of keeping neighbors “informed”, there would be a meeting tomorrow night (11/16) of the Saratoga Springs Planning Board. The locally proposed project (Beaver Pond Village) is on the agenda. SWNA does not take an official position on the proposed project but encourages members to learn and participate.

---- Secretary John Baldwin - “Thank you” letters were sent to Sgt. Jack King (SSPD), Quad Graphics, Ken Relation (DOT), and Commissioner Stephen Towne.

----  Treasurer Arlene Fernandes -- Current balance is $849.50.  Dues for 2006 will now be accepted. 

Arlene also announced the “Grand Opening” of her new business venture, Uppity Cruste.  It is a coffee/sandwich shop located nearby in the Hannaford Plaza on Rowland Street.

OLD BUSINESS -- Route 50 southern boundary - Molly Gagne’ - a larger, newer sign  (CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS)  has been erected to mark the city’s line.

Standing Committee reports - “Adopted issues”

Community Policing Program -  Lt. Michael Salisbury introduced our newest Community Police Officer, Jason Tetu.  Officer Tetu has already been receiving  messages from members, something that is essential to the success of the  neighborhood program.  He covered items such as motorized toy vehicles ( scooters and ATV’s) operated on streets,  household debris left at curbside, boats and trailers parked on streets,  unlicensed/unregistered cars in yards, houses with no street number visable to street, and general “quality of life issues”.   Officer Tetu encourages neighbors to be proactive and to share information with him, such as unusual traffic at a house or youth on the streets after dark.    Lt. Salisbury will forward a request from SWNA to be placed on the notification list for sex offenders moving into the area.

Contact  Lt. Salisbury or Officer Tetu at 584-1800

SWNA is looking for a new person to “adopt” community policing as Mark Lyon is not able to continue due to work schedule.

Adopt-A-Highway - Jean Hall -  A report was given for our Fall clean-up of Geyser Rd.  The weekday activity brought 8 members, totaling about 23 hours and 22 bags of trash. A letter of appreciation was received from County Supervisor Scirocco.  The Spring clean-up will be planned for a Saturday.

Sand Dune Protection - Raoul Gagne’ reported a successful installation of split rail fencing along the sand dune to discourage people from destroying the natural habitat.  Raoul, Bob Dudley, Bill Chisham, Frank Carioto and John Baldwin completed the task in less than 2 hours.  The property owner paid for the fencing.  In the spring,  SWNA members will enlist help from ENCON and the County  to promote protection and preservation of this piece of Glacial Lake Albany and the Saratoga Sand Plain.

Street Light Repair - Mary Dudley reported another malfunctioning street light and it was repaired.  If you know of a problem, get the number of the pole (metal tag) and the location and call Mary at 584-4688  (or call DPW at 587-3550).

Multi-use Trail  -  member Matt Veitch distributed copies of the resolution obtained from the City Council endorsing the concept for a multi-use trail along Geyser Road.  Matt also showed the power point presentation used at the council meeting which detailed possible ideas for a trail connecting the southwest neighborhood to the State Park, the new YMCA planned for West Avenue and downtown.    A grant application for “technical assistance” has been submitted to Parks and Trails New York.

New Business.......

County Supervisor -  Member Cheryl Keyrouze has recently been elected to the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.  Cheryl was attending another meeting but the “congratulations” of the members were offered to her husband Tom.  Tom spoke of Cheryl’s commitment to the community and her interest in the ideas and views from residents in order to assist her in “decision-making”.  He shared a phone number where Supervisor Keyrouze can be reached  583-7897.

Bike Rodeo - member Lynn Goodness suggested that he is willing to enlist a local civic organization to assist the SWNA with a second Bike Rodeo, held in the spring. Bike safety was discussed earlier in the evening with Police Officer Tetu.

Plans for 2006 Elections - Joe Kearney - At our next meeting (January)

there will be elections for President, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. All officers have agreed to remain in their current positions.  Any other member who wishes to be considered must voice their interest within two (2) weeks, by Nov. 30.  Voting members must have paid their dues.

2006 Dues - $10 per household per year.  Collection for 2006 begins immediately and ends in March.  

Next meeting --- January 10, 2006