Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
May 20, 2019, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield, Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson.

Call to order at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Annual Report: Kip Johnson presented his annual report. (1) Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson informed the Board that there is a need for greater public education in regards to recycling, such as the need to wash all recycled items before drop off, labels off or on, and additionally what items actually are recyclable material. The Board suggested an article for the Town website as well as The Times of Halcott newsletter, and an e-mail blast as ways to spread the information, with copies of this information made available at the Halcott Fair. (2) He also feels that it is important for him to have the ability to lock and unlock the dumpster, but as of now he has no key to the current lock and due to the kind of lock it is, no copy of the key can be made. The Board asked Highway Superintendent Boston to purchase additional chains and a new lock with multiple keys to alleviate this problem. (3) There has been interest from residents to have the ability to get rid of different types of metal, including appliances (which would need to comply with recycle rules), with an offer from an individual to transport said items when a load is amassed, if the Town should choose to offer this service. (4) The Board expressed their appreciation to Kip for the quality job is is doing at the transfer station.

Approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2019 meeting: With the following correction: Severe weather money was $8,000.00 last year. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The 284 Agreement is now complete, with work to be done on Silas Lake Rd., Turkey Ridge Rd., Townsend Hollow Rd., Landa Rd. and Denicola Rd.(B) Emergency Services Director John Farrell will try to make the June 17, 2019 Regular Town Board Meeting. (C ) Installation of the culvert on Turk Hollow Rd. for lean-to access has not begun, the DEC has not yet acquired the necessary permits, asking that Halcott apply for them. In addition it appears the DEC now feels a 42 inch squash pipe will not be of adequate size for the project. (D) The Greene County Highway Department worked in town removing dead trees along the County roads.

Voucher Vote: General Abstract G0519 – vouchers 70 – 74 = $995.07. Highway Abstract H0519 – vouchers 75 – 83 = $2,812.70. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented her monthly report. (B) The Town was able to add $16,565.00 to the General Reserve fund, and $12,380.00 to the Highway Reserve Fund.

Town Clerk’s Report: Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, 2 Building Permits, 1 @ $250, 1@ $350.00, 1 BP Renewal: $250.00, 1 Dog License (unneutered): $10.00, Billy Haynes: $200.00, Garbage Tickets: $135.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,220.00 for the month of April.

Other Business: The Board had a discussion about the logistics of garbage disposal in the Town and what should be done going forward. The Town; as things now stand, takes in less money than the actual cost of the dumping fees charged by Greene County, and because of this all residents cover a portion of that deficit in their taxes. The Town has been selling garbage tickets that allow residents to dispose of garbage for $3.00 per bag. The Board feels a more equitable solution should be looked at such as raising the usage fee for private haulers who now use the dumpster for a nominal fee, and perhaps adding more of the cost into the Town Budget each year, eliminating the need for the purchase of garbage tickets by residents. The Board will continue to explore options for the Town.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting June 17, 2019, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:49 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.