May 2024 Minutes

    Minutes for the Village Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 7th, 2024

    The regular meeting of the Village of Galway Board was held on May 7, 2024 at 5212 South Street. Present were: Mayor Best, Trustee Hyde, Clerk-Treasurer Ruman and Attorney Sutton. Mayor Best called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM. Minutes from the April 4th, 2024 meeting were not available.

    Treasurers Report

    • Receipts-$4,210.43,
    • Disbursements-$2,857.70,
    • Checking-$80,675.97,
    • Savings-$48,553.66
    • Grand Total-$129,229.63.

    Motion to accept made by Mayor Best and seconded by Trustee Hyde.

    Correspondence

    Inquiry from Town of Galway resident about the need to communicate face to face instead of always relying on email, etc.

    Code Enforcement

    N/A

    OLD BUSINESS

    • Attorney Sutton continued discussion regarding 5254 North Street. After the examination of the premises it appears that the property has a net positive value and it is worth pursuing both legal title and damages for failure to maintain the residence and negligence in failing to bring foreclosure proceedings sooner. When we receive a response from the bank we can decide whether to go forward with finding out what the net worth is and obtain value. We need proof of the worth of the building before accepting title. We are in a good situation to start the action because we have more knowledge. Trustee Hyde inquired about the health hazard to residents and Attorney Sutton said there is a course of action against them for failure to abide by the standards of care set forth in the statute that would cover that. Attorney Sutton will present a formal complaint for review at the June meeting.
    • Mayor Best gave the update on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. They presented a video instead of a meeting. Data compilation was presented. Town and Village of Galway combined between 1969-2023 had a figure of $156,000 for hail damage and $473,700 for wind damage. Next meeting will be a mitigation strategy workshop on July 16.
    • Trustee Hyde gave an update on the Neighborhood Watch Program. She noticed that there is a sign near the firehouse that reads “We are part of the neighborhood watch program”. She called the Saratoga County Sheriff to inquire about a watch in the village and did not receive a response. She has not heard back from village resident Cody Reed who had inquired about a program in the village. The posters have gone back up. Would Liz Fuelner have any insight from her past work with the program? Trustee Hyde will call Liz and put something in the Galway Library newsletter. Mayor Best thanked Trustee Hyde for hercontinued work on this.

    NEW BUSINESS

    • The results of the village wide survey were emailed to residents who requested them. Mayor Best presented a letter that she is proposing be sent to all village residents with the survey results. Mayor Best received new maps for the village and identified parcels with property owners. With the help of Town of Galway assessor, Laura Orminski, Mayor Best got an updated list of property owners in the village. She also looked at the wetland delineation maps of the village. It appears that most of the village is in the wetlands and would be hard to develop. Question about whether living in a wetland will effect our homeowners insurance. When redoing the zoning laws the use of the wetland delineation maps will be helpful. The maps can be looked at on the DEC site at dec.ny.gov., environmental resource mapper. Clerk-Treasurer Ruman will get the copies of the letters made so we can address them at the next meeting.
    • At our next meeting we will look at the zoning laws to decide what we might want to change such as short-term rental situations.
    • Clerk-Treasurer Ruman will get the Sexual harassment training for us.
    • Mayor Best reported that a municipal charging station would cost $80,000.00 which will not work with our budget.
    • Mayor Best presented the quote from Adirondack Sign for the pole in the village with street narnes-$2,500 for materials. The quote for banners was also presented as well as a thistle design for the banners from Jim Best. Adirondack will put up the signs. Trustee Hyde made a motion to pay $200 to James Best for the graphic design. Seconded by Mayor Best.
    • Mayor Best will speak to Supervisor JD Arnold again about the Town of Galway signs.
    • Mayor Best made a motion to approve the quote of $7,062.00 for labor, installation and printing of20 banners and street pole assembly. Trustee Hyde seconded.
    • It was proposed that next year the village offer a refuse clean-up for residents. Mayor Best will contact DLG for advice.
    • The roof on the gazebo has been completed with 40 year shingles.
    • Memorial Day will be from 9:30 AM-I :00 PM in the park. The porta-potty has been ordered. It was decided that the village will have a banner made to put on the table in the park.
    • Mayor Best will meet with IBS septic to map out the drainage system in the village. Trustee Hyde made a motion to have IBS Septic clean out the drains at the rate of $450.00 per hour. Seconded by Mayor Best.
    • Mayor Best made a motion to sell the remaining police car as junk, without a title. Trustee Hyde seconded the motion.

    Abstract No. 12 totaling $19,690.58 was submitted for approval and payment. The next meeting will be on June 4, 2024 at 6:30 PM. No further business. Mayor Best adjourned the meeting at 8:25 PM.