Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
January 26, 2026, 6:00pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Wickham, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Greg DiBenedetto, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Town Justice Ken Williams.

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

Approval of the minutes of the December 15, 2025 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2ndby Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Greg DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Annual Reports: Town Justice Ken Williams presented his 2025 year-end report.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A)The Highway Department faced recent equipment issues, including the Ford truck failing after deep snow found its way into the air intake and plugged the air filter during plowing, and the Oshkosh having bad wheel bearings. (B)As Superintendent Bouton nears retirement, the Board discussed how best to advertise the Highway Superintendent position.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1225 – vouchers 170 – 176, 186-191 = $5,847.56. General Abstract #G0126 – vouchers 1 -6 = $1,480.00. Highway Abstract #H1225 – vouchers 178 – 185, 192,193 = $6,836.93. Highway Abstract #H0126 – vouchers 7 – 10 = $836.71. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Greg DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Finance Chair Report: Councilwoman Innes Kasanof presented the monthly budget report.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental (non-local): 100.00, Building Permit: 1 @ 100.00, C of O Search: 2 @ 25.00 each, Garbage Money/December: 488.00. The Town collected and disbursed 738.00 for the month of December.

Other Business: Supervisor Samantha Wickham and the town board reviewed the proposed ambulance contract with Margaretville Memorial Hospital, noting added provisions for a back-up ambulance during multiple calls. Town Supervisors from the Town of Middletown and Hardenburgh have been in contact with Supervisor Wickham and are reviewing their respective contracts as well.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting February 23, 2026, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:46 p.m. by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Greg DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
December 15, 2025, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Wickham, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Greg DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio. Public: Bob VanValkenburgh.

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

Approval of the minutes of the November 17, 2025, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Supervisor Samantha Bouton, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent Russell Bouton reported that the pop-up camper previously discussed at the August 18, 2025, Town Board meeting remains parked in the turn-around area on DiNicola Road. This ongoing situation poses a significant challenge for road maintenance. Specifically, the camper’s location makes it difficult for anyone plowing the road, as they are forced to back down instead of turning around safely. The issue has not yet been resolved and is affecting winter road operations. The end of Route 3 continues to present challenges for the Highway Department as well due to the number of parked cars belonging to hikers. (B) The Oshkosh is nearing the end of its service life; the transmission has issues, and the clutch may soon need replacement despite recent adjustments. (C) Greene County delivered materials for winter road use.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1225– vouchers 170 – 176 = $3,187.72. Highway Abstract #H1225 – vouchers 178 – 185 = $4,922.68. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilman Greg DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the November report. He will pay end-of-month bills and submit a January voucher to simplify closing the books for 2025. (B) Budget Officer Tamaccio is creating an online Suburban Propane account to monitor Town propane charges.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permits: 2 @ 100.00, 1 @ 200.00, 1 @ 300.00, 1 @ 350.00, Transfer Station /October: 522.00. The Town collected and disbursed 1,572.00 for the month of November.

Other Business: Bob VanValkenburgh discussed the need for an emergency route in Halcott after a recent fire on Co. Rt. 3 blocked access, as alternate roads like Silas Lake, Kaftas, and Townsend Hollow are only seasonally maintained. He noted that previous minutes designated Silas Lake Rd. into Redkill Rd. as an “emergency road” and suggested it be plowed and maintained in winter. Bob also mentioned Roxbury Highway Department’s past offer to plow from their side for Halcott, though Superintendent Russell Bouton indicated the road’s surface would make winter maintenance challenging.

Next Meeting: Organizational Meeting: January 5, 2026, 6:00 pm.
Regular Town Board Meeting, January 19, 2026, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:23 p.m. by Councilman Greg DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Please note – January’s monthly Town Board Meeting will be held on January 26th at 6:00pm (not January 19th).