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).

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
November 17, 2025 – 6:00pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Wickham, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Eric Fronckowiak, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert. Public: Pattie Kelder. Absent: Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton.

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

Approval of the minutes of the October 20, 2025 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Councilman Alan Reynolds reported that Greene County has not yet brought sand to Halcott, but they did bring the town a plow truck for use on the county roads. This is the same vehicle the Town used last year, but it is now equipped with a new sander. (B) The mechanic should be coming to Halcott to take care of mechanical odds and ends before bad weather arrives.

Budget Officer’s Report: Supervisor Samantha Wickham presented the monthly finance report for October. Supervisor Samantha Wickham asked the board for a motion to pay a credit card bill that was received late, and voucher for the next board meeting. Motion to pay the credit card bill and voucher for the December meeting by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1125 – vouchers 156 – 164 = $2,059.37. Highway Abstract #H1125 – vouchers 165 – 169 = $942.04. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Marriage License: 2 @ 40.00 each, Building Permits: 2 @ 50.00 each, 1 @ 125.00, 1 @ 150.00, 1 @ 200.00, BP Renewal: 1 @ 70.00, C/O Search: 1 @ 25.00, Garbage Money/October: 446.00 The Town collected and disbursed $1,196.00 for the month of October.

Other Business: (A) Councilwoman Judy resigned from her position as a Halcott town board council member in October. To fill the vacant position, a Motion to appoint Greg DiBenedetto to the Town Board was made by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye. (B) John Halcott Burial Marker: Greene County Administrator Shawn Grodin has returned the call regarding the marker placement. It has been suggested that the town postpone the marker installation until replacement of the county bridge is completed.

Public Comment: Pattie Kelder asked if groups such as the Community Garden, church events, or community activities are charged grange rental fees, typically they use the Grange at no cost. She also stated that the square dance held at the Grange was a huge success. She subsequently brought up the gas appliance ban, suggesting that the town oppose it—a stance the town ultimately adopted.

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

Motion to Adjourn at 6:18 p.m. by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Samantha Wickham: aye.