Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
August 18, 2025, 6:00 pm

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

Call to Order at 6:00 p.m.

Approval of the minutes of the July 21, 2025 meeting: With the following correction: Motion to adjourn by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) There is a pop-up camper in the turn-around on DiNicola Road. This may present a challenge for snowplows during adverse weather, as they require that area to turn around. (B) During the off season (spring or fall), the Highway Superintendent proposes renting a brush machine to clean the road shoulders. The estimated cost for a two-week rental is approximately $2,000.00, while monthly rental rates range from $6,000 to $10,000. (C) The Highway Department has completed stone and oil work on Johnson Hollow Rd., and Greene County has finished the same on County Rt. 1.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0825 – vouchers 122-126 = $874.96. Highway Abstract #H0825 – voucher 127 = $952.50. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Budget Officer Report: (A) The Town was a victim of an internet fraud scam with a request for a change in banking information for an individual who receives direct deposit payment from the Town, resulting in a loss of 2,000.00. The Town will create a policy for the steps needed to be taken for verification of such requests before any account changes can be processed. (B) The Board reviewed several key factors for consideration in preparing the Tentative Budget for 2026, including the necessity for the Highway Department to replace the Oshkosh truck, anticipated increases in insurance costs, and projected COLA adjustments.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental: 1 @ 50.00, Building Permit: 1 @ 340.00, Garbage (June): 754.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,144.00 for the month of June.

Other Business: A Feasibility Study and cost analysis for the proposed Highway Garage has been funded by the CWC to provide a more precise estimate of the project’s total cost.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting, September 15, 2025, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:37 p.m. by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.