Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
July 21, 2025, 6:00 pm

Present: Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds, Councilmembers Judy DiBenedetto, Innes Kasanof, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert. Public: Fred and Susan Herzog, Warren Reynolds,Sheri Reynolds. Absent: Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton.

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

Public Hearing on the Adoption of Local Law 2-2025, A Local Law Repeal and Replace the Town of Halcott Land Use Code: Public hearing was opened by Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds at 6:01pm. The was no input from Board members, and no questions or comments from the public. Public Hearing was closed at 6:02 pm

Approval of the minutes of the June 16, 2025, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye. A correction of the spelling of the name Mostert, incorrectly spelled Mosert.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department hasa company making pug ( a mixture of old road grindings, stone dust and stone) for fill work. It is also something other towns may be interested in purchasing as well. (B) Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton is diligently working towards early CHIPS reimbursement; he has passed along the paperwork needed for submission to the State.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0725 – vouchers 107 – 114 = $1,543.29. Highway Abstract #H0725 – vouchers 115 – 121 = $61,709.31. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Budget Officer’s Report: (A) Councilwoman Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B) Due to the absence of both Supervisor Bouton and Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, a motion was made to pay a bill from A & J Transport for $225.00 and voucher at the next meeting. Motion to pay A & J Transport before vouchering by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds, aye. (C) Councilwoman Innes Kasanof informed the Board that the annual budget would need to be put together to present at the September Regular Board Meeting and asked the council to think about any ideas or concerns to address, keeping in mind that a new truck purchase is needed for the Highway Department, and the new highway garage is still in the works with the Town waiting for CWC approval of the Town’s request for funding in order to do a feasibility study for the project.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental/2 local @ 50.00 each, Building Permits 1 @ 100.00, BP Renewals: 1 @ 77.50, 1 @ 150.00. Transfer Station/Garbage/May: 294.00. The Town collected and disbursed 721.50 for the month of June.

Adoption of Local Law 2-2025: “A Local Law Repealing and Replacing the Town of Halcott Land Use Code”. Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds introduced Resolution 5-2025, A Resolution to Adopt Local Law 2-2025, a local law to repeal and replace the Town of Halcott Land Use Code. Motion to Adopt Resolution 5-2025 and Adopt Local Law 2-2025, a local law to repeal and replace the Town of Halcott Land Use Code by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Other Business: Halcott resident Sheri Reynolds sent an email to the town board in hopes of beginning a conversation with Greene County and the Town about instituting an Emergency Response Network in the valleys of the Town of Halcott, she was prompted by the horrific events in Kerr County, Texas. Due to spotty cellphone service in many places in Halcott, and that many homes are now being used as Air B & Bs for non-residents, or the possibility of no power during a weather emergency for land line use, she asked that the Town look into an emergency siren notification system, evacuation signs, and routes with places to go to shelter. Both board members and residents at the meeting thought it was a good idea to look into.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting October 21, 2024, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:08 pm by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
June 16, 2025, 6:00 pm

Present: Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds, Council Members Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto (late), Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds. Public: Andrew Camarata, Richard and Marion Corso, Thomas and Margaret Cangero. Absent: Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton.

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

Public Hearing Opened at 6:00 pm: Planning Board Chair Nancy Reynolds explained that the changes to Solar Panels was to meet state mandates and everything else in the LUC had been discussed. The Board had nothing to add and the floor was opened for public comment. Andrew Camarata feels the LUC is too strict and would not like to see something akin to a homeowner’s association here in Halcott. He also stated that the town can not add the legal fees incurred when a property owner is brought to court for violations to the property owner and said he spoke to his lawyers who charge $300.00 per hour. Councilwoman Innes Kasanof responded by explaining that residents of Halcott were asked for their input at the start of this process and the LUC update was a product of that input. She also stated that the Town attorney was the one who suggested having a property owner reimburse the town for legal fees if a case needs to go to court. Andrew also asked who gets to vote on the adoption of the LUC and was told that it is the Board who votes. If allowed, he would vote no. Public Hearing Closed at 6:05 pm.

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

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department is behind on regular road maintenance due to the weather. (B) The Highway Department is also struggling to complete CHIPS road work and submit the necessary paperwork for reimbursement because of rainy weather. (C) Should it be needed, the Highway Reserve Fund can be used until the town receives reimbursement from the State.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0625 – vouchers – 94 – 99 = $1,172.14. Highway Abstract #H0625 – vouchers 100 – 106 = $15,271.00. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Budget Officer’s Report: (A) Councilwoman Innes Kasanof presented the finance report for May. (B) (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: BP Renewal: 1 @ 250.00, Transfer Station (April): 246.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 1 @ 25.00, Genealogy Search: 1 @ 10.00. The Town collected and disbursed 531.00 for the month of May.

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 the next public hearing.

Public: Tom Cangero introduced himself to the Board and inquired about if/when the town would be stoning the part of Silas Lake Road that his house is located on as other parts of the road are stoned. He stated that traffic on the road creates a lot of dust, and he is forced to keep his windows closed.

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

Motion to Adjourn at 6:37 p.m. by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

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.