Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
May 20, 2025, 6:00 pm

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

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

Approval of the minutes of the April 21, 2025 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The County Route 1 bridge should be opened next week, and ditching along roads and road topping will start tomorrow. (B) The Town received a few dollars more in CHIPS money but money from other programs like PAVE NY, POP, and AWR will remain the same this year. (C) There have been a number of equipment repairs, the starter on the Oshkosh, the ride control on the backhoe, and bearings on the big mower. The Highway Department is still looking to purchase a replacement for the Autocar soon as well.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0525 – vouchers -82 – 88 = $4,519.65. Highway Abstract #H0525 – vouchers 89 -93 = $3,892.57. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Budget Officer’s Report: (A) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the finance report for April. (B) Supplemental insurance bill (C) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio explained to the Board that after the accounting firm of Mosert, Manzanero, and Scott finished with the Town’s AFR report, it was suggested the Town should consider a restructure of the Town bank accounts. According to the accounting firm, there are too many accounts, especially highway, and instead of reserve accounts, there should be savings accounts dedicated to a future purchase (i.e.: new town truck, equipment, buildings etc.) Motion to have the Town of Halcott Finance Committee start the process of restructuring the Town of Halcott bank accounts for better State compliance by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental (local): 50.00, BP Renewal: 1 @ 100.00, Transfer Station (March): 257.00. The Town collected and disbursed 407.00 for the month of April.

Other Business: (A) LUC UPDATE: The Planning Board, along with Nan Stolzenburg, took a second look at the camping/glamping and are satisfied with the results which will be sent out to the public for review before a public hearing next month. (B) There was a discussion about the poor mail service as of late in Halcott.

Public: Susan Herzog, who is a member of the Board of Assessment Review, spoke to the Board about Garth Slocum who is the Town Assessor and Grievance Hearing Day which is May 27th 4-8 pm. Due to Garth being ill recently, she was hopeful someone would reach out to the BAR members by e-mail to make sure everyone was on the same page and knew the date and time of the meeting.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting, Monday June 16, 2025, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:12 p.m. by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.