Draft Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes, Halcott Grange
April 21, 2025, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton, Town Council members Judy DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Alan Reynolds, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds,Web Master Lorraine Marsh. Public: Greg Beechler, Brinier and Larios Engineer Allan Dumas

Call to order at 6:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Hearing on the Adoption of the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan opened at 6:01 pm. Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton opened the public hearing by asking the public for their input; hearing none, then asked the Town Board members if anyone had any input, hearing none, closed the public hearing at 6:02 pm.

Approval of the minutes of the March 17, 2025, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye. Supervisor Samantha Bouton: abstain, not at the March meeting.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Work has begun again on the bridge on County Rout 1 with a time schedule of 4-6 weeks until completion. (B) The Highway Department is experiencing numerous breakdowns, thankfully they have the Ford pick-up truck which has proven to be quite versatile. (C) There was an inquiry about the Highway Superintendent’s position, the board discussed starting salary, appointed or elected, if elected, should it be for a 2-year or 4-year term.

Budget Officer’s Report: Supervisor Bouton presented the monthly budget report.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0425 – vouchers 56 – 67 = $2,967.36. Highway Abstract #H0425 – vouchers 68, 69, 71-81 = $6,083.68. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: 1 @ 100.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 1 @ 75.00, Transfer Station February: 266.00. The Town collected and disbursed $441.00 for the month of February.

Highway Garage Project: Project Engineer Allan Dumas informed the board and those present as to the large scope of work involved in the process of designing and procuring funding to build a new Town Highway garage. The first step to this process is to get a designation on the water course flow to make sure the property will be useable. The next steps will be site engineering, foundation design, sewage system design, as well as mechanical, electric, and structural design. The Town has just under 54,000.00, the project has an estimated construction cost of 500,00.00. The Town will look to have Mark Blauer start the grant application process, and he will also reach out to the state to see what money might be available as well. Motion for Mark Blauer to speak on behalf of the Town of Halcott to secure funding for the purpose of building a new Town Highway Garage by councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Other Business: (A) Motion to Adopt Resolution 1-2025: Adoption of the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.
(B) Motion to Adopt Resolution 2-2025: The Examination of the records of Town Justice Ken Williams as required by law by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.
(C) The Town Webmaster Lorraine Marsh introduced herself to the board and expressed her excitement to be taking over for previous Webmaster Greg Beechler.
(D) Nancy Reynolds gave the board an update on the Land Use Code. The Camping/campground definition needs to be changed, and as of now there is no size designation for campsites. The LUC committee has been in touch with Nan Stolzenburg and will work on new wording to complete the LUC updates.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting May 19, 2025, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:59 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

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

Present: Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds, Council Members Eric Fronckowiak, Innes
Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Budget
Officer Paul Tamaccio. Absent: Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Supervisor
Samantha Bouton. Public: David Grossman, Alex Skaftouros, Warren Reynolds, Pattie Kelder.

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

Public Hearing on The Adoption of the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan: The hearing was opened at 6:01 pm by Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds. With no public input,Motion to close the hearing at 6:02 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by
Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Deputy
Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Public Hearing on the Adoption of the Town of Halcott Land Use Code: The hearing wasopened at 6:03 pm by Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds. (A) David Grossman stronglysuggested that the Board reinstate the wording to allow two-family dwellings in a single
structure (duplex) in 3.1 of the Land Use Code before adopting. He pointed out that it would bebeneficial for the tax base; attracting families who could live in one unit and rent out the other.
He feels that this type of housing is appropriate for Halcott and thinks it would promote the
preservation of the rural character of the Town. He also pointed out that having the right to
have an accessory apartment with a primary dwelling was not the same as a 2-family dwelling.Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds responded by saying when the LUC was first drafted, theoriginal thought was a 2-family dwelling was for extended multigeneration families to take care
of ill or aging family members. David also expressed dismay that he missed the discussion thatoccurred with Nan Stolzenburg at the February town board meeting because it was not on the
agenda, and he did not attend. (B) Pattie Kelder asked if there was any wording that would
allow or forbid sheep grazing with solar panels as she was informed that this was a great “green”way to maintain areas with solar panels. Motion to close the public hearing at 6:12 pm byCouncilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, CouncilwomanJudy DiBenedetto: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Approval of the minutes of the February 24, 2025, meeting: Motion to approve by
Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Annual Reports: There were no annual reports presented.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: Councilman Alan Reynolds updated the board for
Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton. (A) Greene County is beginning to cut brush along
the county roads and the Halcott Highway Department started sweeping roads today. (B) The
Oshkosh needed to have a bracket fabricated because the replacement part was no longer
available. Councilman Eric Fronckowiak feels the Highway Department should make the
search for a new plow truck a priority, the insurance company suggested the Town replace the
Oshkosh as well.

Budget Officer’s Report: (A) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the finance report for
February. (B) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio was in receipt of two invoices from the Highway
Department and asked if the Board would approve his paying those bills and then vouchering
for the next regular meeting. Motion to pay those two Highway Department invoices before vouchering by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0325 – vouchers – 40 – 52 = $23,016.40. Highway
Abstract #H0325 – vouchers 53 – 55 = $2,103.90. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Eric
Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Marriage License: 1 @ 40.00, Grange fee (local): 50.00, Building permits (4):
3 @ 100.00, 1 @ 70.00, C/O Search: 1 @ 25.00, 1 @ 40.00, Transfer Station/Garbage Money
(Dec/Jan): 698.00. There was $1,223.00 collected and disbursed for February.

Other Business: (A) Motion to adopt the Town of Halcott Comprehensive Plan by
Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye. (B) Motion to adopt the Town of Halcott Land Use Code by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye. (C) The engineering and surveying firm Brinnier and Larios was here to look at the proposed site for the new highway garage building. There is some natural water course flow in that area,the DEP and DEC will need to weigh in as to what it is designated as, before a design layout can happen.

Public Comment: (A) David Grossman again spoke to the Board, stating he felt the public
only had 5 days’ notice as to the final edit to the Land Use Code before coming up for adoption
by the Board; and voiced his disappointment with the Board’s motion to adopt the updated
Land Use Code. (B) Pattie Kelder asked if FEMA housing would be allowed should the need
arise. (C) Alex Skaftouros introduced himself to the Board, he and his wife and children
recently purchased a house on Co. Rt. 3 and looks forward to spending quality time here when
they can.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting, Monday April 21, 2025, 6:00 pm

Motion to Adjourn at 6:35 p.m. by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman
Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan
Reynolds: aye.