Village Notes 2025-04-28
Do Outs
Meeting Start Time Reminder: All Village Board meetings now begin at 5:00 PM.
STR Public Hearing Scheduled: A public hearing will be held on Monday, May 12 at 5:00 PM to gather feedback on proposed amendments to the Short-Term Rental Law.
Infrastructure & Development Updates
A crosswalk to Baldwin Park is in the works, and a traffic light near Lake Flower Avenue and Will Rogers Drive will be coming soon.
Key Board Actions
Bill 45 (Passed 5–0): Adopted the 2025–2026 Village Budget
Bill 46 (Passed 5–0): Approved Riverwalk wayfinding signage proposal
Bill 47 (Passed 4–0, Trustee Scollin recused): Appointed Health Officer Ray Scollin to a one-year term
Bill 48 (Passed 5–0): Authorized the re-levy of unpaid water/sewer bills to Village tax bills
Bill 49 (Passed 5–0): Accepted a $500 ADK quad-county community regrant
Bill 50 (Passed 5–0): Approved funding for the Willard Hanmer Guideboat Race
Bill 51 (Passed 5–0): Authorized the provisional hire of a Code Enforcement Officer
Bill 52 (Passed 5–0): Declared equipment surplus
Bill 53 (Passed 5–0): Dissolved the contract with Joule Assets, Inc. for CCA administration
Bill 54 (Passed 5–0): Called for a May 12 public hearing on STR Law amendments
Board Discussions
Riverwalk Improvements
The Riverwalk wayfinding signage project represents a major step in the decades-long vision to transform the Saranac River into a welcoming public space. While the Riverwalk has been built in phases over more than 30 years, many users still don’t know where it begins, ends, or how it connects across the village. This new signage system—proposed by Trustee Brunette—will include banners, trail markers, kiosks, interpretive signs, and a mobile-friendly digital map. It aims to enhance navigation, promote local business visibility, and deepen public understanding of the Riverwalk’s beauty, history, and ecology.
EV Charger Grant Award
The Village has been awarded a $482,164 grant to install 30 Level 2 electric vehicle chargers throughout the community. Board members discussed several proposed locations and raised resident concerns about whether Level 2 technology is already becoming outdated. The Village Manager said that most of the grant funding is designated for installation costs and that the chargers could be upgraded in the future.
Small Business Loan Policy Review
The Board discussed a suggestion from the Mayor to remove the current requirement that small business loan applicants provide a bank denial letter. The Village Manager noted that the policy was originally intended to ensure the Village’s program complemented, rather than competed with, traditional lenders. No decision was made.
Public Comments
Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)
Concerns about repeated denials of FOIL requests related to the Emergency Services Complex feasibility study. The denials appear to conflict with guidance from the New York State Committee on Open Government, which suggests the information should be made public.
Budget Transparency
Concerns over last-minute additions to the adopted budget—particularly compensation increases for key staff—that were not discussed publicly beforehand. Questions were also raised about projecting interest revenue from reserve funds without corresponding fund transfers, potentially inflating budget expectations.
33 Petrova Property
Call for increased transparency and public input on the future use of the 33 Petrova site, encouraging the Village to consider alternatives such as housing or other community-oriented uses.
Emergency Services Complex
Call for more clarity and communication regarding the purpose, location, and community impact of the proposed emergency services complex. Urged the Village to appoint residents to the Public Safety Committee.
