Draft Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes, Halcott Grange
April 21, 2025, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton, Town Council members Judy DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Alan Reynolds, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds,Web Master Lorraine Marsh. Public: Greg Beechler, Brinier and Larios Engineer Allan Dumas

Call to order at 6:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Hearing on the Adoption of the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan opened at 6:01 pm. Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton opened the public hearing by asking the public for their input; hearing none, then asked the Town Board members if anyone had any input, hearing none, closed the public hearing at 6:02 pm.

Approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2025, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye. Supervisor Samantha Bouton: abstain, not at the March meeting.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Work has begun again on the bridge on County Rout 1 with a time schedule of 4-6 weeks until completion. (B) The Highway Department is experiencing numerous breakdowns, thankfully they have the Ford pick-up truck which has proven to be quite versatile. (C) There was an inquiry about the Highway Superintendent’s position, the board discussed starting salary, appointed or elected, if elected, should it be for a 2-year or 4-year term.

Budget Officer’s Report: Supervisor Bouton presented the monthly budget report.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0425 – vouchers 56 – 67 = $2,967.36. Highway Abstract #H0425 – vouchers 68, 69, 71-81 = $6,083.68. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: 1 @ 100.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 1 @ 75.00, Transfer Station February: 266.00. The Town collected and disbursed $441.00 for the month of February.

Highway Garage Project: Project Engineer Allan Dumas informed the board and those present as to the large scope of work involved in the process of designing and procuring funding to build a new Town Highway garage. The first step to this process is to get a designation on the water course flow to make sure the property will be useable. The next steps will be site engineering, foundation design, sewage system design, as well as mechanical, electric, and structural design. The Town has just under 54,000.00, the project has an estimated construction cost of 500,00.00. The Town will look to have Mark Blauer start the grant application process, and he will also reach out to the state to see what money might be available as well. Motion for Mark Blauer to speak on behalf of the Town of Halcott to secure funding for the purpose of building a new Town Highway Garage by councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Other Business: (A) Motion to Adopt Resolution 1-2025: Adoption of the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.
(B) Motion to Adopt Resolution 2-2025: The Examination of the records of Town Justice Ken Williams as required by law by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.
(C) The Town Webmaster Lorraine Marsh introduced herself to the board and expressed her excitement to be taking over for previous Webmaster Greg Beechler.
(D) Nancy Reynolds gave the board an update on the Land Use Code. The Camping/campground definition needs to be changed, and as of now there is no size designation for campsites. The LUC committee has been in touch with Nan Stolzenburg and will work on new wording to complete the LUC updates.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting May 19, 2025, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:59 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.