Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
June 15, 2026, 6:00pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Wickham, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Greg DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Public: Nancy Amy

Call to Order at 6:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the May 18, 2026, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Greg DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynold: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Road work on Townsend Hollow should be finished in the next couple of days. CHIPS funding is expected to be about the same as last year, or slightly higher. Highway Superintendent Bouton is hoping to stone and oil roads next week. (B) The Highway Department hopes Greene County will leave the truck Halcott is currently using when it delivers a promised better truck this fall. (C) Paperwork for the new truck purchase has been signed, and the Town will be notified 30–60 days before delivery so funding can be arranged. Halcott may receive $15,000 to help offset the purchase. A representative from Michelle Hinkley’s office contacted the Town after hearing from Greene County Administrator Shaun Grodin about our need for a new truck and said the State Senate Fund may be able to provide assistance. The Town would purchase the truck, submit the required paperwork, and receive the funds as reimbursement.

Budget Officer’s Report: (A) Supervisor Samantha Wickham presented the finance report for May.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0626 – vouchers 65–72 = $17,793.50. Highway Abstract #H0626 – vouchers 73–77 = $3,440.40. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Greg DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental (non-local): 1 @ 100.00, Building Permits (2): 1 @ 290.00, 1 @ 50.00, BP Renewal (2): 1 @ 362.50, 1 @ 50.00, C/O Search (balance due): 1 @ 15.00, Transfer Station (May): 248.00, Dog License (spayed/neutered): 1 @ 5.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,120.50 for the month of May.

Other Business: (A) Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton would like to retire, but the Town has been unable to find a Halcott resident interested in running for the office in the November election. The Board discussed changing the Highway Superintendent position from being elected position to an appointed position. This would require adopting a local law to abolish the elected office and create an appointed Highway Superintendent position. A public hearing will be held on July 20, 2026, at 6:00 pm, with the regular town board meeting to follow. (B) A new mailbox has been purchased and needs to be mounted. Supervisor Wickham will contact Grange Steward Bob VanValkenburgh. The Board also noted significant rotted wood at the Grange Building that should be repaired. Funds are available in the Town’s General Reserve Fund for possible repairs. The next step is to have a contractor inspect the work needed and prepare an estimate for review.

Public Comment: Nancy Amy asked if the Town issued dog licenses, as she had acquired a new dog and wanted to license him. She also asked whether anyone had spoken with the occupants of the campers parked along Streeter Hill Road and questioned whether they were authorized to camp there. The Board explained they were aware of what property she was speaking about, but the property was not in Halcott.

Executive Session: Motion to enter Executive session at 6:39 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Greg DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye. Motion to exit Executive session at 6:54 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Greg DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting Monday, July 20, 2026, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:56 pm by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Greg DiBenedetto: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.