Village Notes 2025-09-22
Special Guest
The Board heard from Mitch Dewein of CHA Solutions on a proposal for a district geothermal heating and cooling system that would be owned and operated by the Village.
It would be tied to the Adirondack Park Agency’s proposed new headquarters at 1–3 Main Street. The Village would own the underground well field, while the APA would serve as the customer, paying a utility fee to cover the project’s debt service.
Siemens would front the design and engineering costs through an Energy Performance Contract, with repayment coming from the APA’s lease payments.
The project could also leverage 30–40% federal tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, a benefit available to municipalities but not state agencies.
The APA is finalizing its building design now. If the Village wants geothermal, it must decide quickly before the APA commits to an electric-based HVAC system.
Trustees voiced broad support for renewable energy but raised important questions about financial risk and whether the project would have benefits beyond a single village-owned building.
Public Hearing
The Board held a public hearing as a requirement for acting as the municipal sponsor for an application of up to $1 million in state funding to renovate the Saranac Lake Adult Center.
The 50-year-old building is in urgent need of kitchen upgrades, a new heating system, and structural repairs. The Franklin County Economic Development Corporation will be writing and administering the grant on behalf of the Adult Center.
Public Comment
A resident pressed the Board on why the Village has not yet reinvested cannabis sales tax revenue locally. Neighboring North Elba has already distributed nearly $100,000 to youth, seniors, and community groups through a grant program, while Saranac Lake has received about $94,000 but has not created a program. Mayor Williams said state and county accounting errors delayed payments for more than a year, slowing the process. Trustee Brunette stated she has discussed creating a local grant program several times with the Board previously and will present a resolution to establish a local grant program, ensuring these funds directly benefit the community.
Board Actions
Trustee Scollin was absent.
BILL 132 (Passed 4–0): Deem Equipment Surplus
Approved disposal of outdated Village equipment.
BILL 133 (Passed 4–0): Standard Workday Reporting
Established standard workdays for elected and appointed officials as required by the NYS Retirement System.
BILL 134 (Passed 4–0): Appoint Cassandra Van Cott to SLLDC
Approved appointment of Cassandra Van Cott as a member of the Saranac Lake Local Development Corporation Board of Directors, strengthening leadership capacity for local projects.
BILL 135 (Passed 4–0): Amend Sewer Project Contract
Approved a $24,125 amendment with SDA Engineers to cover additional survey work and traffic control identified during sewer project design.
BILL 136 (Tabled): Issue RFP for Village Audit
Tabled the directive to seek proposals for an independent audit—proposed by Trustee White to strengthen fiscal transparency and responsibility after years of delayed reporting.
BILL 137 (Passed 4–0): Pine View Village Agreement & Road Dedication Release
Authorized an agreement to annex Pine View Village Apartments into the Village and accept the dedication of “Willow Way” as a public street.
Old Business
Emergency Services Complex
Trustees revisited concerns. Key issue: information like floor plans and site plans are not being shared proactively with the full board or the public. This information is only being obtained through formal Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. Trustees Brunette, Ryan, and White voiced their interest in a more practical and direct site access point from Route 3.
Baldwin Park Committee
Discussions continued on scope, funding, and next steps for Baldwin Park improvements. The Board reaffirmed their commitment to the previously approved designs and support for seeking all permits necessary to be able to make important accessibility upgrades at the park.
