Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes 
Halcott Grange
October 18, 2021, 6:00 pm 

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council Member Alan Reynolds, Yukari Day, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, ZBA Chairman Warren Reynolds. Public: Hunter Town Supervisor Darrell Legg. 

Opened Public Hearing on the 2022 Budget at 6:08 pm: The total amount to be raised by the Town for 2022 is $320,138.00, an increase of 1.99% from last year’s budget. With no public attending, the public hearing was closed at 6:12 pm. 

Call to Order at 6:13 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Approval of the minutes of the September 20, 2021 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 Highway Department has been dealing with a series of equipment repairs. The transmission was replaced in the Mack, the loader had valve work and valve replacement done and the new tires were put on the Oshkosh where it was discovered tie rod ends are in need if replacing. The Oshkosh will need additional work done as it pops out of gear at times and it is due to be inspected for insurance purposes. (B) Ditching work is being done on Johnson Hollow and Elk Creek Road and the sander is being prepared for the upcoming snow season. (C) Due to the delay in CHIPS reimbursement the highway department will wait until December to restock the stone and small fill piles. 

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1021 – vouchers 145 – 152 = $24,906.40. Highway Abstract #H1021 – vouchers 153 – 158 = $12,102.69. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. 

Finance Chair Report: Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report for September. (A) The State lost the initial paperwork for Halcott CHIPs reimbursement making it necessary for the paperwork to be resent. This will push out the reimbursement time into December. 

Clerk’s Report: Grange rental(local) 1 @ 50.00, Billy Haynes/Sept payment: 250.00. The Town collected and disbursed $300.00 for the month of September. 

Other Business: (A) ZBA chairman Warren Reynolds submitted his letter of resignation as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals effective December 31, 2021. There was an additional discussion in regards to mandatory training for the various boards and coming up with a better way to keep track of what members are due to take classes and where and when those training classes are available. (B) Councilman Alan Reynolds shared with the Board that the Elk Creek toe cut and the bank slide on Elk Creek Rd. have been recommended for funding pending approval from the PAC, DCSWCD Board and NYC DEP. The culvert replacement on Townsend Hollow Rd. is on a list of pending projects depending on if there is any funding left in the current contract or if an outside funding source can be found. (C) Darrell Legg spoke to the Board about seeking election to the Greene County Legislature and assured the board that should he be elected he would be a voice for Halcott. 

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting November 15, 2021, 6:00 pm. 

Motion to Adjourn at 6:36 p.m. by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. 

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
September 20, 2021, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto. Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Absent: Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton Public: Patty Kelder, Harry Saslow.

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

Budget Discussion: Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the 2022 Tentative Budget to the Board for review. The total tax revenue to be raised by the Town would be $320,034.36 which would put the Town at a 1.9 % tax increase, allowing for an increase in insurance costs, billable hours from the Code Enforcement Officer and Town Lawyer and salaries. Town Supervisor: $3,695.00, Town Board member: $818.00, Town Clerk: $4,682.00, Highway Superintendent: $51,510.00.

Approval of the minutes of the August 16, 2021 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.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: Councilman Alan Reynolds presented the Highway Superintendent’s report. (A) The highway department recently purchased a new pole saw with a slightly different design which is working well for them and is looking to purchase a chain saw as well. (B) Greene County Highway Superintendent Scott Templeton and Engineer Bill Stein were in Halcott looking at road conditions and may have found funding for the County Route 3 bridge project. (C) Tires are needed for the Oshkosh and after an extensive search due to a nationwide shortage, were located at a cost of $530.00 each. Motion to purchase new tires for the Oshkosh by Town Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Supervisor Alan White, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0921 – vouchers 123 – 133 = $13,780.90. Highway Abstract #H0921 – vouchers 134 – 144 = $43,053.45. 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. Clerk’s Report: C/O Search: 2 @ $25.00, Transfer Station: July $206.00, August: $308.00. The Town

collected and disbursed $564.00 for the month of August.

Other Business: (A) Billy Haynes removed the junk appliances which were illegally left at the town transfer station and the highway department cleaned up other junk which had accumulated as well. (B) Town Clerk Pattie Warfield will reach out to the Community Fund to work on a more fluid system for community use of tables and chairs and Grange rentals.

Public: (A) Town resident Harry Saslow spoke to the Board about concerns he had with an ongoing building project located next to his property on Turkey Ridge Rd. Supervisor Alan White was familiar with the project and had reached out to Town Code enforcement Officer John Mathesien to check on the status of the project. While the construction site may look like an eyesore to outsiders, all necessary

permits have been obtained and at this time the project is in compliance. (B) Patty Kelder spoke to the Board on a number of topics. Patty asked the Board to consider opting out of allowing marijuana dispensaries in the Town of Halcott. Patty also inquired about an odd looking speed limit sign on a town road and thought that perhaps it was not put up by the highway department. Each year flower boxes are filled and located under the town sign at the grange hall. Due to the cost of replacing these flowers each year, Patty asked if she could bring the geraniums into the Grange during the cold weather months which was fine with the Board.

Next Meeting: Public Hearing on the 2022 Preliminary Town Budget October 18, 2021, 6:00 pm. Regular Town Board Meeting to follow.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:24 pm by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.