Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
October 21, 2019, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council Members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield. Public:Paul Margolis, Sybil Margolis.

Call to Order at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Opened Public Hearing on the Preliminary Budget at 7:16 pm. The Preliminary Budget stayed below the 2% tax cap with a levy increase of 1.99% which includes a 3% pay increase for all who work for the Town, including the following yearly wages: Town Supervisor: $3,695.00, Town Board members: $1,848.00, Town Clerk: $4,635.00, Highway Superintendent: $48,222.00. Paul Margolis asked if health insurance costs were factored into the presented budget and the answer was yes, the insurance cost increase was modest with a 6% increase and reflected in the budget. With no other public input the Public Hearing was closed at 7:28 pm.

Opened Regular meeting at 7:30 pm.

Approval of the minutes of the September 16, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The new tractor is working well. Superintendent Bouton would like to keep the old mower tractor for a while as it will not bring in much revenue if sold due to its age, but is very useful to the Highway Department. The Town of Middletown may take care of some brush mowing for the Town, but this would not happen until this winter or next spring at the earliest.(B) Greene County will be in Halcott to patch holes on County Route 3. Supervisor White asked Highway Superintendent Bouton if the County has a schedule for the resurfacing/topping of the county roads in Halcott because extensive ditch work needs to be done before any topping work should begin. Supervisor White recommended the Town have a comprehensive conversation with the County in regards to the scope of work needed to be done to maintain our roads, with the LFA documentation of the bridge repair/replacement work that needs to happen added into the conversation as well.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1019 – vouchers 147 – 154 = $2,943.20. Highway Abstract #H1019 – vouchers 143, 155– 162 = $29,91613. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. The Town is in good fiscal standing heading towards the end of the year. (B) The new to Halcott John Deere tractor will need to be added to the equipment list on the Town finance report and added to the Town’s insurance coverage as well.

Clerk’s Report: 1 Building Permit: $160.00, 4 C/O Searches @ $25.00 each: $100.00, Transfer Station Bagged Garbage Money: $259.00. The Town collected and disbursed $519.00 for the month of September.
Other Business: (A) Zoning Board Appeals Chairwoman Karen Rauter has asked to step down from her position for personal reasons, with ZBA member Warren Reynolds willing to fill the vacancy.Motion to appoint Warren Reynolds as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. ABSTAIN: Councilman Alan Reynolds. (B) LFA Final Public Hearing: MMI presented the preliminary final report to the public at the meeting, outlining the need make the bridge on County Route 3 (coming into Halcott) and the relocation of the Highway Garage a priority. MMI did make contact with someone at the County level when working on this study. It was brought to the attention of the Board that the area known as the Elk Creek toe-cut was not addressed by MMI in the LFA study. MMI will be notified of the oversite and asked to add this area to the study and included in the report. The last step in the LFA process is for the final report to be drafted and posted, a comment period to take place, any revisions made and then the Board will be able to have a vote on the adoption of the LFA study. Once the LFA has been adopted, the Town can then begin to solicit grant money. Peg Ellsworth of the M-ARK project will be asked to come to Halcott and give a presentation on grant proposal options. (C) Supervisor Alan White asked the Board for a motion to adopt the preliminary budget. Motion to Adopt the 2020 Preliminary Budget by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting November 18, 2019, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:59 p.m. by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange

September 16, 2019, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Halcott Code Enforcement Officer John Mathiesen, Mark Carabetta Miles & Macbroom Inc., Matt Trueheart Miles & Macbroom Inc., Gale Neal DCSWCD, Phil Eskeli NYCDEP. Public: Al Doubrava. Present: 7:00pm Councilwoman Yukari Day

Meeting Opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:00 pm.

LFA Presentation: After discussion with FAC and Board members, MMI’s recommendation is to relocate the Town Highway Garage, either to higher ground on the existing property, or to a new property that is not within or accessed through flood-prone areas. These choices were discussed at length with relocating to a new parcel as the preferred solution. The final public meeting will be held Saturday, October 19, 2019 at which time MMI will issue the final LFA report; which when adopted, allows the Town to be eligible to look for funding sources going forward.

Approval of the minutes of the August 19, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Approval of the minutes of the August 28, 2019 special meeting to open bids: Motion to approve by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye. Supervisor Alan White: abstain.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Greene County Solid Waste will be bringing a closed container box with openings cut in for the Town to be used for all recyclable material. (B) A muffler guard was delivered to the highway garage and mistakenly dropped off behind the recycle bin where it was accidentally taken. The highway department will look at the security camera tapes to see if they can find out where it went. (C) The mower is off the John Deere tractor because a step was ordered and the old mower has a broken shaft so fall mowing will need to be done later in the season.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0919 – vouchers 133 – 140 = $1,465.18. Highway Abstract #H0919 – vouchers 141, 142, 144 – 146 = $4,470,92. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B) The 2020 Tentative Budget was presented to the Board for discussion and review. Included in the budget is a conservative 3% pay raise and money to pay for a deputy clerk and a deputy to the finance chair. These positions would each be paid $1,000.00 for the year. There was also discussion in regards to starting a Building Reserve Fund.

Clerk’s Report: Billy Haynes/Dumpster fee (Aug/Sept): $300.00. The Town collected and disbursed $300.00 for the month of August.

Other Business: (A) Public access the Turk Hollow lean-to and State Land has been restored with the installation of a new culvert. This information will be included in the next Times of Halcott. The Board thanked Highway Superintendent Bouton for getting this long standing problem taken care of. (B) Motion to appoint Jamie Vogler as Deputy Town Clerk by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: LFA Final Public Meeting Saturday, October 19, 2019, 10:00 am, Halcott Grange Hall Public Hearing on the Proposed 2020 Budget October 21, 2019, 7:15 pm,

Regular Board Meeting to follow.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:45 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange

July 15, 2019, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Councilmembers Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson. Absent: Town Councilwoman Yukari Day, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton.

Call to order at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the June 17, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: Presented by Councilman Alan Reynolds: (A) The Town Highway Department has been hauling and putting down item four, with all work going well. (B)While being informed by the State that there would be no severe weather money in 2019, there was in fact monies allocated to Towns with Halcott receiving $7,783.31 in Severe Weather Money. With the allocation notice coming later in the season, reimbursement will be later in the year as well.

Halcott Market Fair. Preparation is going well. Two Stone Farms will donate 20 or so pieces of cheese to be sold at the Fair with monies collected to go to the Community fund. The Board thanked Supervisor White for the generous donation. Grange Building Steward Bob VanValkenburgh has replaced the 2 downstairs exterior doors in time for the Fair with additional work replacing the door sills to be done in the future.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0719 – vouchers 101 – 107, 113 – 115 = $2,834.81. Highway Abstract #H0719 – vouchers 108 – 112 = $3,736.70. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B)The Town has earned $1,541.33 in interest on The Bank of Greene County, Town of Halcott accounts so far this year, while earning approximately $14.00 in interest from the Community Bank, Town of Halcott accounts in 2018.

Clerk’s Report: Garbage Tickets (33) @ $9.00 = $297.00, Grange Rental (local) $50.00, Building Permits: 2 @ $100.00, 1 @ $75.00, 1 @ $135.00, 1 @ $300.00 = $710.00, 1 B.P. Renewal $200.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search $25.00, Billy Haynes $100.00, 1 Dog License (spay/neuter) $5.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,387.00 for the month of June.

Other Business: (A) Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson asked the Board to consider moving the garbage dumpster closer to the recycle shed area to be able to keep a closer watch over what garbage and how much is being thrown into the dumpster by those using the facility. The Board was concerned about the smell and flies impacting the Highway Department, and suggested Kip confer with Highway Superintendent Bouton to get his input. (B) There has been an unexpected change in how the Town of Halcott mail is sorted and delivered to Town Officials, resulting in some mail confusion. Supervisor White has contacted the postal service to rectify the situation.
Next Meeting: Regular Meeting, August 19, 2019, 7:15 pm.
Motion to Adjourn at 7:46 by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange

June 17, 2019 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Public: Paul and Sybil Margolis.

Call to Order at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the May 20, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto. Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Stone and oil work is being completed and the Highway Department is also making progress on Townsend Hollow Road and DiNicola Road, with work coming along well. (B) The Highway committee continues to look for a mower. The Highway Department will be purchasing a 1,000 gallon water tank for use when putting down crusher run and when sweeping roads.

Halcott Market Fair: Everything is on schedule for this year’s fair which will be on July 20, 2019 from noon until 6 pm. A Fair flier will be sent via e-mail to everyone on Supervisor White’s e-mail list. The Halcott Fair became the Halcott Market Fair last year.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0619 – vouchers 84 – 91, 100 = $984.41. Highway Abstract #H0619 – vouchers 92 – 99 = $37,561.20. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. The Town now has $85,106.16 in the Highway Reserve Account and $47,014.79 in the General Reserve Account. (B) The Town will pay all bills associated with road repairs as per the 284 Agreement with checks and not online because canceled checks are required for reimbursement.

Clerk’s Report: The Town collected no money for the month of May.

Other Business: (A) Supervisor White conducted an e-mail poll in regards to the ongoing discussion of garbage disposal in Halcott, with the consensus being there should no longer be garbage tickets. Supervisor White presented to the Board that the cost to Halcott residents to dispose of a bag of garbage should be dropped from $3.00 to $2.00 (which is more in line with what we are charged by Greene County per bag) and payable at the transfer station. In addition, the fee for commercial haulers should be raised, the amount being as follows; an increase of $50.00 per month starting July 1, 2019, and an increase of an additional $50.00 per month starting July 1, 2020, and an increase of an additional $50.00 per month starting July 1, 2021. These increases would raise the commercial fee to $250.00 per month by 2021, the cost of disposal would then be around $2.00 a bag for commercial haulers. These changes would bring about a more equitable cost distribution for the fees charged the Town by Greene County for garbage removal. Motion to institute the changes as stated above starting July 1, 2019 by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day,

Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting July 15, 2019 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:39 pm by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
May 20, 2019, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield, Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson.

Call to order at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Annual Report: Kip Johnson presented his annual report. (1) Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson informed the Board that there is a need for greater public education in regards to recycling, such as the need to wash all recycled items before drop off, labels off or on, and additionally what items actually are recyclable material. The Board suggested an article for the Town website as well as The Times of Halcott newsletter, and an e-mail blast as ways to spread the information, with copies of this information made available at the Halcott Fair. (2) He also feels that it is important for him to have the ability to lock and unlock the dumpster, but as of now he has no key to the current lock and due to the kind of lock it is, no copy of the key can be made. The Board asked Highway Superintendent Boston to purchase additional chains and a new lock with multiple keys to alleviate this problem. (3) There has been interest from residents to have the ability to get rid of different types of metal, including appliances (which would need to comply with recycle rules), with an offer from an individual to transport said items when a load is amassed, if the Town should choose to offer this service. (4) The Board expressed their appreciation to Kip for the quality job is is doing at the transfer station.

Approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2019 meeting: With the following correction: Severe weather money was $8,000.00 last year. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The 284 Agreement is now complete, with work to be done on Silas Lake Rd., Turkey Ridge Rd., Townsend Hollow Rd., Landa Rd. and Denicola Rd.(B) Emergency Services Director John Farrell will try to make the June 17, 2019 Regular Town Board Meeting. (C ) Installation of the culvert on Turk Hollow Rd. for lean-to access has not begun, the DEC has not yet acquired the necessary permits, asking that Halcott apply for them. In addition it appears the DEC now feels a 42 inch squash pipe will not be of adequate size for the project. (D) The Greene County Highway Department worked in town removing dead trees along the County roads.

Voucher Vote: General Abstract G0519 – vouchers 70 – 74 = $995.07. Highway Abstract H0519 – vouchers 75 – 83 = $2,812.70. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented her monthly report. (B) The Town was able to add $16,565.00 to the General Reserve fund, and $12,380.00 to the Highway Reserve Fund.

Town Clerk’s Report: Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, 2 Building Permits, 1 @ $250, 1@ $350.00, 1 BP Renewal: $250.00, 1 Dog License (unneutered): $10.00, Billy Haynes: $200.00, Garbage Tickets: $135.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,220.00 for the month of April.

Other Business: The Board had a discussion about the logistics of garbage disposal in the Town and what should be done going forward. The Town; as things now stand, takes in less money than the actual cost of the dumping fees charged by Greene County, and because of this all residents cover a portion of that deficit in their taxes. The Town has been selling garbage tickets that allow residents to dispose of garbage for $3.00 per bag. The Board feels a more equitable solution should be looked at such as raising the usage fee for private haulers who now use the dumpster for a nominal fee, and perhaps adding more of the cost into the Town Budget each year, eliminating the need for the purchase of garbage tickets by residents. The Board will continue to explore options for the Town.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting June 17, 2019, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:49 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.