Wayne Hoffman

The board meeting was convened to appoint a temporary part-time fire marshal. The purpose of this appointment is to assist with conducting backlog fire inspections and to provide training and mentorship to the newly appointed fire marshal, utilizing the expertise of a former employee.

The meeting featured an annual report presentation from Malta Stillwater EMS, covering their anniversary, staffing challenges, fleet status, call volume, and the impact of national emergency medical service issues. The Board reviewed community outreach efforts, performance awards, and financial metrics including billing and maintenance costs. Following the EMS report, the Board discussed administrative items, including closing a public hearing on zoning, and passed a resolution issuing a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act for a comprehensive zoning update.

The Board held multiple public hearings regarding zoning updates, a moratorium extension, and telecommunications equipment installation on existing utility poles. Key actions included the approval of Verizon Wireless equipment installations, as well as appointments for a full-time planner, full-time fire marshal, and part-time typist. Additionally, the Board discussed zoning code flexibility, a potential cybersecurity breach notification policy, a conservation easement application, and the possibility of applying for a grant for athletic field lighting.

The meeting focused on extensive updates to the town zoning code, intended to align with the comprehensive plan adopted in 2023. Key topics included modifications to commercial and residential district regulations, updates to the zoning map, new requirements for solar energy systems and chicken keeping, and changes to the planning board's authority regarding development districts. Residents provided public comment expressing concerns over the land conservation zoning designation, potential impacts on property values and assessments, the use of FEMA versus DEC maps for environmental regulation, and the regulation of agricultural land use and future development.

The board conducted a public hearing regarding utility pole equipment installations for Verizon Wireless. Key discussions included public concerns over FEMA mapping, zoning code changes, property rights, and the Saratoga PLAN Conservation Easement at Boulder Brook Farms. The board approved resolutions to set public hearings for proposed zoning law amendments and moratorium extensions, referred applications to the County Planning Board, and authorized a tax certiorari settlement for Ellsworth Commons. Additionally, the board amended the Water Superintendent's appointment resolution, approved budget transfers for sidewalk ramp costs and court grant expenditures, and received a proposal for a nationwide reading of the Declaration of Independence.