Town of Saratoga Town Hall

June 27, 2011 10:10 AM Town of Saratoga Town Hall

In attendance: Voting Members Officers Chair - Tom Richardson, Supervisor, City of Mechanicville Members Tom Wood, Supervisor, Town of Saratoga Sara Idleman, Supervisor, Town of Greenwich Nelson Ronsvale, Grant Coordinator, Town of Halfmoon Julie Stokes, Saratoga P.L.A.N. Ed Kinowski, Supervisor, Town of Stillwater Ernest Martin, Mayor, Village of Stillwater Alane Ball-Chinian, Saratoga/Capital District Region, OPRHP, Proxy Jim Sullivan, Mayor, Village of Victory Teri Ptacek, Executive Director, Agriculture Stewardship Association Bert Mahoney, Mayor, Village of Waterford Attendees Alan and Marlene Bissell, Hudson Crossing Park Brit Basinger, Saratoga Associates John Hayes, Prospect Hill Cemetery Association Linda Palmeri, Town Historian, Stillwater Tim Holmes, Friends of Saratoga Battlefield Joe Finan, Superintendent, Saratoga Battlefield National Historical Park Mark Castiglione, Hudson River Valley Greenway Andrew Alberti, Lakes to Locks Passage Sara Purcell, Natural Heritage Trust Hady Finch, Grant Cottage NYSMM Sharon Leighton, NYS Canal Corporation Devin Lander, NYS Assemblyman Steven Englebright’s office James Thompson, NYS Senator Roy McDonald’s office Chris DeBolt, NYS Assemblyman Jordan’s office Maria Trabka, Executive Director, Saratoga P.L.A.N.

At 10:10am Tom Richardson called the meeting to order and welcomed members, visitors and made introductions. Minutes A motion to accept the minutes of the April 25, 2011 meeting was made by Ed Kinowski and seconded by Tom Wood, to be passed unanimously.

New Business

Tom Richardson announced there will be a public hearing on the American Battlefield Preservation Program Sword Surrender grant work by Brit Basinger of Saratoga Associates.

Devin Lander and Tom Richardson discussed the annual meeting - nomination committee Sara Idleman, Tom Wood – nomination committee Ed Kinowski, Nelson Ronsvale.

Ed Kinowski asked what happens if unelected?

Tom Richardson – Mayor Sylvester? Answered, no he is from Mechanicville.

The nomination committee will meet before July 19, 2011.

Tom Richardson and Joe Finan spoke about Congressman Paul Tonko’s Mighty Waters Conference at RPI. They mentioned the Congressman spoke about revitalizing the Mohawk and Northern Hudson – several ideas.

Joe Finan noted 11 colleges in Tonko’s district pulled together to address the economy - stressed Navigational dredging for business and recreational.

Tom Richardson mentioned meeting with John Macdonald from Cohoes, who is doing a lot to redevelop Cohoes and also the mayor of Oswego at Mighty Waters. About 300 to 350 people attended the event.

Tom Richardson noted Congressman Chris Gibson will be attending the next Partnership meeting on July 19, 2011 at 10AM at the Battlefield.

Joe Finan discussed that staff has done research on boarderlands of Saratoga – forefront of conflict for 120 years – would like to give presentation at July meeting.

Tom Richardson noted Mechanicville has its new kayak launch open and available.

Maria Trabka mentioned a press conference today to kick off Tour de Farm, July 17, 2011, 12:30PM at Hand Melon Farm.

Teri Ptacek said a thank you to the Hudson River Valley Greenway, the Town of Greenwich and the Town of Saratoga for giving grants and hosting. Joe Finan noted OSI received a grant to clear towpath between Schuyler House and Battlefield.

Mark Castiglione mentioned the likes of working with energetic partners.

A motion to adjourn was made by Nelson Ronsvale and seconded by Jim Sullivan to be passed unanimously. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on July 19, 2011 at 10AM at the Battlefield.