Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
July 17, 2023, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Judy DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Samantha Bouton, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, LUC Chair Karen Rauter, Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds. Public: Warren Reynolds, David Grossman, Paul and Sybil Margaritas, Vicki Ballard, Shawn Penchoff, Cindy Bouton, Kevin and Peggy Leslie, Sheri Reynolds, Patty George, John Dobsa, Scott Moroff.

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

Approval of the minutes of the June 26, 2023, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton with the following correction: Change Chevy truck with Ford truck, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: The plates for the Ford truck have finally arrived from the state. There have been some machinery breakdowns, a mechanic will be here next week to work on the tractor mower. The new Ford truck had an inner fender and wires come loose and is being repaired.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0723 – vouchers 102 – 107 = $3,113.43. Highway Abstract #H0723 – vouchers 108 – 114 = $50,891.28. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Budget Officer Report: (A) Supervisor Kasanof presented the monthly finance report for June.

Clerk’s Report: Certified Transcript; 9 @ 10.00 = 90.00, Building Permit: 2 @ 100.00, 1 @ 75.00 = 275.00, BP Renewal: 280.00, Transfer Station/May: 262.00, Dog License (unneutered): 10.00. The Town collected and disbursed 917.00 for the month of June.

Other Business: (A) Resolution 1-2023, A Resolution Urging the Governor to Veto A.04282B/S.3505B to Move Certain Local Elections to Even-Numbered Years. Legislation has been introduced to move local elections to even years which would have local elections coincide with presidential elections. After a board discussion, Motion to adopt Resolution 1-2023 by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye. (B) The Town received a request from Del. Co. Dept. of Planning & Watershed Affairs asking the Town to sign a document supporting them to become the lead agency in a SEQR review of DEP land acquisitions. The Town’s position is that we have no objection to the County assuming lead agency but have the following concerns regarding this project. 1. The Town of Halcott is deeply concerned about the DEP’s current land purchase policy. 2. We look forward to the results of the independent study being conducted on overseen by the CWC. and hope negotiations will be as open-minded as possible. Motion to sign by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye. (C) Karen Rauter reported that the LUC committee hopes to have a packet together to show the Board at the August meeting.

Public Comment: (A) Silas Lake Rd. resident Peggy Leslie questioned the board as to why the Town has yet to pave the section of road she lives on. Highway Superintendent Bouton explained that the section of road she lives on is in good shape and they have had to spend time on repairs to other sections of town roads damaged by winter weather. The Highway Department has also spent time improving roads deemed emergency access routes. Peggy also inquired about getting a committee together to plan for a 2024 Town of Halcott Fair which she would like to be a part of. (B) Turk Hollow resident Shawn Penchoff asked what was being done about the condition of the Turk Hollow Bridge. Highway Superintendent Bouton explained that the county had an engineer here to assess the bridge and are going to contract with a private company for the repairs.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting Monday August 21, 2023, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:38 p.m. by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye.