Village Notes 2025-05-12
Do Outs
Sewer Rate Hearing: A public hearing was scheduled for proposed 2025–2026 sewer rates.
Public Hearing
The Board held a public hearing on proposed changes to the Short-Term Rental (STR) Law. Residents provided constructive and thoughtful feedback on how to improve the law, including:
Implementing a process to deny renewals based on repeated complaints or code violations
Including language that allows the Village to suspend permits that create health or safety issues
Strengthening protections for neighborhood quality of life, including density controls
Special Guest
Doug Haney, presenting the Fawn Valley housing project, spoke to how local developments like his can support working families, livability, and long-term growth in Saranac Lake. He invited the Village Board to tour the Fawn Valley site to see firsthand what’s possible. Haney also delivered a petition with over 600 signatures asking the Board to formally study using 33 Petrova for affordable housing. With housing getting harder to find and more expensive, many residents want the Village to explore all options that support local families, workers, and future generations.
Community Development Department Update
Demolition of Baldwin Park is scheduled for fall 2025 with construction following in 2026.
Improvements to Woodruff Street could begin as early as 2026, using leftover DRI funds. While many of the features residents hoped for during public planning—like trees and decorative lighting—aren’t included, the DRI money will help the Village cover the cost of repaving and basic upgrades.
Nine storefronts are expected to become vacant downtown this summer.
Key Board Actions
Bill 56 (Passed 5–0): Scheduled public hearing on sewer rates
Bill 57 (Passed 5–0): Executed MOU with Teamsters Union
Bill 58 (Passed 5–0): Contracted Accessible Adirondack Tourism for ADA audits of village parks
Bill 59 (Passed 5–0): Authorized Community Development staff travel
Bill 60 (Tabled 5–0): Appoint new members to Climate Smart Communities Task Force.
The Board delayed voting on new appointments to the Climate Smart Communities Task Force after noticing all three nominees were from the same household. Trustees asked staff to report back on what outreach was done to recruit new members and how many people applied.
Bill 61 (Passed 5–0): Approved SDA Engineering contract amendments to support sewer project
Bill 62 (Tabled 4–1): Clarifying Appointment Authority in the Employee Handbook.
The proposed amendment to the Village Employee Handbook aimed at aligning the document withlocal law—specifically regarding who has the authority to appoint Village officers.
Currently, the handbook cites New York State Village Law §3-301(3), which gives appointment powers to the Mayor with Board approval. However, Saranac Lake operates under a Village Manager form of government, governed by its own local law (Village Law §33-3 / Local Law 3-2012). That law states that appointment lies with the Village Board of Trustees, not the Mayor.
Trustee White introduced a resolution to correct this inconsistency and ensure that the handbook reflects the structure of our form of government — designed to promote professional, nonpartisan local government. Mayor Williams opposed the change.
Residents concerned with transparency, accountability, and adherence to home rule authority will want to watch this item closely as the Board continues its work to ensure Village policy documents align with local law and the Village’s form of government.
Board Discussions
Emergency Services Complex
Trustee White recently learned—via a resident’s Freedom of Information request—that Wendel Five Bugles’ principal has traveled from Wisconsin to Saranac Lake at least twice since January.
Wendel confirmed the building committee has finalized a schematic floor plan with a footprint of 58,450 square feet, and the team is now advancing into structural, civil, and architectural design phases. This is the most detailed project update in over a year and it came only after repeated trustee inquiries.
Trustee White has called for regular, public-facing updates on this $20 million+ project. As Trustee Brunette put it, a project of this size demands open communication—not just progress.
Wendel has suggested all updates flow through the Village Manager, even though the Mayor previously encouraged trustees to contact the consultant directly. Wendel has offered to provide monthly memos. So far, none have been shared. The community—and the Board—is still waiting.
33 Petrova Property
An oil spill occurred beneath the building in 2020. The former owner cleaned it up and has been continuing to monitor it in accordance with DEC requirements. A recent test indicated that oil had resurfaced and will have to be tested every three months for nine months before a determination is made on what type of additional clean up may be necessary.
Public Comments
Residents urged the Village to formally explore the 33 Petrova property for affordable housing, even if it is just for a portion of the property to house emergency services personnel.
Residents urged the Village to protect taxpayers, citing escalating construction costs for the proposed emergency services complex.
Resident used the transparent public process in other projects—like the wastewater system upgrades—as a model for how major Village initiatives should be handled.
