Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
October 15, 2018, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Nate Hendricks (NYSDEP), Everett Farrell (Delaware County Planning), Gale Neal (DCSWCD). Absent: Innes Kasanof. Public: Andy Vlahos, Paul and Sybil Margolis, Warren Reynolds.

Public Hearing on the 2019 Preliminary Budget opened at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor White informed the Board that a local law would not be needed to override the 2% tax cap as discussed at the last meeting as the budget falls under the tax cap as it stands. Town Councilman Alan Reynolds suggested a further budget reduction by lowering the maintenance budget on each piece of highway equipment by $100.00, for a total reduction of $800.00. Supervisor White and Town Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto were open to the suggestion. Motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:24 p.m. by Supervisor Alan White, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye.

Regular Meeting opened at 7:25 p.m.

Approval of the minutes of the September 17, 2018 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Supervisor Alan White, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: not present for vote.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Oshkosh will be back by the end of the month or the beginning of November, Greene County will pick the truck up for us and make arrangements to get it inspected on the way back.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1018 – vouchers 137– 140 = $499.00. Highway Abstract #H1018 – vouchers 141 – 147 = $6,130.91. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Alan White: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Supervisor Alan White presented the monthly finance report. Budget on track going into the end of the year. (B) Final payment has been received for CHIPS reimbursement.

2019 Budget Vote: Motion to approve the 2019 Town Budget by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental: $50.00, Building Permit: 2@ $100.00 each = $200.00, 1 Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, Billy Haynes (August): $100.00, Garbage Tickets (11) @ $9.00 each = $99.00. Total money collected and dispursed for the month of September is $474.00.

Other Business: (A) Town Councilman Alan Reynolds was given the task of looking over the proposals which were submitted to the Town by qualified consulting firms interested in being hired by the Town for the Town of Halcott Local Flood Analysis. After sharing his findings with the Board he
made a recommendation to the Board based on the information presented to him. Motion to hire Malone and MacBroom Inc. to be the consultant for the LFA for Halcott by Town Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. District Delaware County currently has Malone and MacBroom Inc. as a professional engineering consultant under the stream program contract and the next step will be for the district to reach out to M.M.I. and give them the news and work out the details and logistics with the final agreement to be executed between the District and M.M.I.. Town Councilman Alan Reynolds will be the communications contact for the Town moving forward with the LFA process. (B) Supervisor White received an inquiry from Town Assessor Mark Neves about the Senior Citizen tax exemption. The Board made the decision at the January 22, 2018 Town Board Meeting to grant a 50% exemption for an annual income of $24,500.00 or less. (C ) Turk Hollow Update: Supervisor White has been in contact with Jeff Rider / DEC Region 4: Natural Resources Supervisor. Mr. Rider had his people come out to take a look where the culvert washed out, who first spoke of replacing the culvert with a 24 foot bridge which would require years of planning and engineering with an annual inspection needed. Supervisor White suggested something on a smaller scale and after discussion between the Town and the DEC it was decide that the DEC will provide a 24 foot long/ 42 inch squash pipe and the Town will put it in, restoring basic access. The Town will not be obligated to do any additional work on the road, but the DEC will need to create a parking area.

Public Comment: Andy Vlahos commented he is happy to hear that progress is being made in regards to Turk Hollow access to State Land and told the Board that a parking area did exist but it is overgrown and neglected. He also offered the Town culvert pipes for use on the project. Warren Reynolds asked if the road belongs to the DEC or the Town. Since the washout the road has not been maintained but has not been officially abandoned, and would it make sense to officially abandon the road if that is what the DEC wants? The DEC had a unit management/ 10 year plan for the Turk Hollow area of which nothing came about.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting November 19, 2018, 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:50 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.