Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
October 16, 2023, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council Member Alan Reynolds, Samantha Bouton, Eric Fronckowiak, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio. Public: Dave & Vicki Carpenter.

Call to Order at 6:00 p.m.

Approval of the minutes of the September 18, 2023, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Budget Discussion: The State has an auto form equation for Towns to use as a way to figure out where they are with their proposed tax increases and where they stand on meeting tax cap recommendations. Supervisor Kasanof filled in the tentative budget numbers and discovered the Town could spend an additional $5,00.00 and still stay under the tax cap. Supervisor Kasanof spoke to board members about perhaps further increasing some salaries to better serve individuals in those positions. Board members decided to leave all salaries as previously discussed.

Public Hearing on the 2024 Town Budget opened at 6:05 pm: Supervisor Innes Kasanof asked for public comment following the budget discussion, and with no comments or input from the public, closed the public hearing on the 2024 budget at 6:06 pm. Motion to adopt the 2024 budget by Councilman Alan Reynolds, second by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department traded in the summer tires on the Ford truck for a credit of 100.00 each towards winter tires and a spare tire for the truck is needed as well. The Highway Department is readying the trucks for winter (B) Paperwork has been submitted for a second CHIPS reimbursement. (C) Mechanic was here working on the mower tractor, and it is now fixed. (D) There are approximately 2 loads of crusher run stockpiled, but more is needed to ensure being able to sustain road repairs should the need arise.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1023 – vouchers 143 – 151 = $3,167.67. Highway Abstract #H1023 – vouchers 154 – 157 = $5,471.19. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye. Supervisor Kasanof: aye.

Finance Chair Report (A) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the finance report for the month of September. Town finances are on track as the year progresses. (B) In November of 2022, the Town received a 100,000.00 grant to be used for the purchase of a new truck. The Town needs to submit a resolution to Greene County stating we have spent the grant money on the purchase of a new truck. Resolution 2-2023: A Resolution to Greene County on how the Town spent the grant money made available to them for the purchase of a new truck. Motion to adopt by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DeBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Clerk’s Report: C/O Search: (1) @ 25.00, Demo Permit: (1) @ 100.00, Transfer Station: (August) 578.00. The Town collected and disbursed for the month of September.

Other Business: (A) Clerk Pattie Warfield asked about the possibility of an article in the Times of Halcott to alert residents of the need to license their dogs. Supervisor Kasanof suggested Clerk Warfield put together a letter to send out in an e-mail blast. (B) LUC Chairwoman Karen Rauter reported to Supervisor Kasanof that based on the last LUC committee meeting they were ready to finalize changes, incorporate Short Term Rental wording and have a document to hopefully present to the board at the November meeting. They will additionally outline steps to be taken for adoption of the updated Land Use Code.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting, November 20, 2023, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:24 p.m. by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.