Village Board Minutes

February 25, 2008 (60)

A special meeting of the Village Board was held February 25, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the firehouse, 16 Saratoga Ave.

Mayor Winslow called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Trustees Denno & Enekes were present; Trustees Densmore & Lescault were excused.
Also Present: Bldg Insp Jacon, Supt Lozier, Chief Kelley, Asst Fire Chief Dan Kelley, Town Supervisor Richard Lucia, Councilman Charles Brown, Councilman Mitch Saunders
Special Guests: Lynn Kopka, DHCR Regional Director; Kristine Wormuth, DHCR NYMS Regional Representative; Karl Gustafson, NYS Office for Small Cities; Jennifer Breen, NYS Office for Small Cities; Meg Wood, Assemblywoman Sayward’s Office; Dave Smingler, Senator Farley’s Office; Kathy Dorgan, Dorgan Architecture; Andy Allison, Phinney Design Group; Tracey Clothier, LA Group; R. Michael N’dolo, Camoin Associates; Dana Wantuch, Camoin Associates; Jim Thatcher, Avalon Associates; J. Shelby Schneider, Saratoga Economic Development Corporation; Mike Russo, Congresswoman Gillibrand’s Office; and Howard Kunz, USDA Rural Housing. Dr. Starr, Corinth Central Schools; Sher Millis, downtown business owner and John Yannaci, Corinth Merchant’s Association.  Property owners: David Densmore, Jeff & Molly Milkiewicz, Donna Moors, and Jeffrey Dumont. 

On February 11, 2008 the Village of Corinth suffered a disastrous downtown fire leveling three historic buildings and badly damaging others.  Thankfully, no one was injured in the fire.  The Board is committed to assisting the downtown property owners in any way possible.

Michael N’dolo, Camoin Associates, spoke about working with the Village on grants targeting the downtown areas, including some of the damaged buildings.  The fire has been a major blow to the revitalization effort.  Immediate needs are to possibly re-site the businesses temporarily and work on long term solutions for rebuilding the area.  Architectural services and immediate needs can possibly be funded from existing grant funds.  All options for funding will be explored.

Tracey Clothier, LA Group, spoke about a project to rebuild that would comply with the Village’s Comprehensive Master Plan and Design Guidelines.  The concept presented by Ms. Clothier and Andy Allison from the Phinney Design Group used traditional, classic design elements to rebuild the three buildings in a unified design concept.  Mayor Winslow and the consultants stressed that the design presented was simply a conceptual starting point, the property owners are under no obligation to follow the plan presented.  The LA Group completed the conceptual plan at no charge.

Mike Russo, Congresswoman Gillibrand’s office, Dave Smingler, Senator Farley’s office, and Meg Wood, Assemblywoman Sayward’s office, all pledged the support of their respective offices to the rebuilding efforts.

Karl Gustafson and Jennifer Breen, Office for Small Cities, stated that  there is approximately $500,000 left of current funding which can be used to address current needs and encouraged the Village to apply for additional funding.

Lynn Kopka and Kristine Wormuth, DHCR, stated the Main Street grant funds can be amended to provide technical assistance with the rebuilding efforts.

Howard Kunz, USDA, stated loans would be available.

Mayor Winslow mentioned that Ray O’Connor of Saratoga National Bank has pledged to make $5 million available in lower interest loans for the rebuilding effort.

John Yannaci of the Downtown Merchants Association thanked the fire department for doing a wonderful job during the fire.  The affected property owners discussed removal of debris and securing the property with construction fencing.  Trustee Denno stated that Assemblywoman Sayward has committed to working with the insurance companies and the Department of Labor to speed up removal of debris.  Any construction fencing would require approval from each property owner.

Mayor Winslow invited everyone to attend a Community Appreciation Day on March 1, 2008 at 10:00 AM at the firehouse to thank everyone who helped with the fire fighting response.  All participants will be honored at this ceremony including the staff at Rocco’s for getting people out of buildings and the school for supplying buses to the scene for warming stations.  Chief Kelley stated that 135 firefighters responded to battle the fire; Mayor Winslow thanked him for leading the efforts.

Jim Thatcher, Avalon Associates, stated that damaged properties behind Main Street might be able to receive HOME funds.

Supervisor Lucia thanked the represented agencies for their cooperation and stated he felt more optimistic about the rebuilding efforts based upon their comments.

Michael N’dolo and Mayor Winslow encouraged the property owners to meet with representatives from the funding agencies after the meeting to address immediate needs.

Motion by Mayor Winslow, seconded by Trustee Denno that Board adjourn, 1:55 PM.
Carried – 3 – 0

Nicole M. Colson
Clerk