Category Archives: Town Board Minutes

Minutes from regular meetings of the town board.

Town Board Meeting Minutes, September 17, 2018, 7:15 pm

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange September 17, 2018, 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. Phil Eskell, Nate Hendricks (NYCDEP), Everett Farrell (Delaware Co. Planning), Gale A. Neale (DCSWCD). Public: Greg and Penny Finch, Mary Lou Pagano. Albert Doubrava, Paul and Sybil Margolis.

Meeting opened at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Local Flood Analysis Update: The Board was presented with a map of the proposed area to be included in the LFA and as a next step will need to choose a consultant from a list of qualified candidates. The LFA would include the following scope items (1) A review of the history of flooding and flood damages Town wide (2) Assessment of the hydraulics of flood flows through the bridge to the Town Highway Department (3) Identify the needs for emergency response center (4) Identify the needs of the emergency evacuation center (5) Assess bridges and culverts within the LFA area (6) Update of work to address culverts identified and assessed in the Stormwater Assessment Project of 2010. (7) Assess options for residential flood properties within the LFA area. The consultant would develop costs and benefits of each recommendation, meet with the Board and the Public, and present a final draft report to the Town Board at the conclusion of the process.

Approval of the minutes of the August 20, 2018 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) Work on the Oshkosh is progressing and may be returned to Halcott in October.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0918 – vouchers #129 – 133 = $773.16. Highway Abstract #H0918 – vouchers #134 – 136 = $1,285.70. 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)Finance Chair Kasanof presented the Tentative 2019 Budget for review. As it now stands, the budget will exceed the state mandated tax cap with a 3% increase, necessitating a public hearing, and the passage of a Local Law to override the tax cap. The Town has not yet received the fire budget, and Finance Chair Kasanof asked the Board to look over the Budget and would welcome their input.

Clerk’s Report: Dog Licenses: 1 spay/ 1 no spay: $15.00, Grange Rental: $50.00, Building Permit Renewal (2) 1@ $50.00, 1@ $100.00: $150.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, 1 Garbage Ticket: $9.00. The Town collected and disbursed $249.00 for the month of August.

Other Business: (A) Mary Lou Pagano spoke to the Board about an ongoing problem she has been having. People have been trying to gain access to the lean-to on State Land by driving through her
property since multiple storms have washed out the culvert on the original path. While there is a sign posted by the Town that states the road is closed, it does not say “by order of the Town of Halcott”, and some people have complained that it is not an official sign. Mary Lou felt that changing the signage wording and moving the sign closer to the end of Turk Hollow where the closing actually begins might help clarify the situation. She also noted that there are no motorized vehicles allowed on State Land,and perhaps a sign put up by the State noting this, also located at the end of Turk Hollow, would dissuade the public from trying to drive in. Supervisor White has been in contact with the State on this matter and continues to have an ongoing dialogue in regards to finding an equitable solution to the access problem. (B) Halcott highway employee Greg Finch is set to retire at the end of September and wanted to address the Board in regards to being hired back as a new employee to the Town after he is retired. Supervisor White informed Mr. Finch that this matter could not be discussed with the Board at that time, but the Board would be glad to address the topic at a more appropriate time. (C ) The DEC brought a nuisance bear that had been trapped in another Town to Halcott and released it. Supervisor White will send a letter to NYS DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos and ask that this practice cease and desist.

Next Meeting: Public Hearing on the Proposed 2018 Budget: October 15, 2018, 7:15 pm, Regular Meeting to follow.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:41 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Town Board Minutes: 20 August, 2018

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
August 20, 2018, 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.

Meeting opened 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the July 16, 2018 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A)The grader has been repaired. The wet weather has slowed down road grading, but the Highway Department has finally been able to work on the Town Roads which needed grading. (B) In March, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton contacted a company in regards to a price for a new axle and hub for the sweeper broom. When quoted a price of $1,000.00, he decided to go another route, and fixed the problem another way. In July the part showed up without being ordered. The company was contacted and after explaining that no part was ordered, a return sticker was supposed to be sent, but as of now has not. Multiple phone calls have not brought a resolution to this problem yet, but Superintendent Bouton will continue to work on getting the part back to the company. (C ) The Oshkosh has been shipped out for work to be done. The cost of repairs will be around $15,000.00.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0818 – vouchers #114 – 116, 118 – 123 = $3,190.51. Highway Abstract #H0818 – vouchers #124 – 128 = $2,421.16. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B)CHIPS paperwork has been submitted for September reimbursement. (C ) The Town received an invoice from the Hunter Transfer Station with no address for payment to be sent. Finance Chair Kasanof thought the payment should go to Greene County Solid Waste and Supervisor White agreed.(D) The Town has had some problems with the insurance company handling the payment of the Selective Insurance bill, and with the loss of our local insurance representative as well, Supervisor White feels it may be time for the Board to have a discussion about finding a new insurance broker.

Clerk’s Report: Billy Haynes (dumpster fee June/July): $200.00, C/O Search (3@ $25.00): $75.00, Building Permit: $300.00, Garbage Tickets (15@ $9.00)): $135.00, Dog License (3@ $5.00): $15.00. The Town collected and disbursed $725.00 for the month of July.

Other Business: (A) ZBA Chairwoman Karen Rauter would like to step down as chairwoman, and she would like the Board to consider ZBA member Warren Reynolds for the position. (B) The CWC has sent a letter to the DEC asking them to give the CWC the right to review and comment on all proposed land acquisitions made by the DEP. This letter has been signed by all the directors and was driven by the Town Representative’s (of the watershed towns) concern over land acquisitions by the DEP which come through that do not comply with their own parameters. As it stands now, the only
comments which can be made are in regard to recreational use. It was felt that the DEP would respond more to the CWC than individual Towns.

Executive Session for Personnel: Supervisor Alan White made a motion to enter into an Executive Session at 7:48 pm. Executive Session: closed at 8:10 pm.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting Monday September 17, 2018, 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:10 pm by Supervisor Alan White, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye.

Minutes: Town Board meeting 16 July, 2018

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
July 16, 2018, 7:15 pm

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

7:15 pm, Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the June 18, 2018 meeting: With the following spelling correction: carcinogen. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Highway Superintendent Bouton has the CHIPS paperwork together and ready to give to finance chair Innes Kasanof to begin the reimbursement process. A payment was made to Peckham Materials before it was vouchered because a cancelled check is needed as proof of payment before it can be submitted to the State for reimbursement. (B) Repairs to the Oshkosh will run around $15,000.00, which will include a new body and paint job. Superintendent Bouton expects the work to be completed in September, ahead of snow season. (C )Superintendent Bouton informed the Board that the Town Highway employee is contemplating his retirement options, and would like to have the Board enter the discussion. (D) The Highway Department is having trouble with the grader, Superintendent Bouton feels that it could be a relay or electrical problem.

Halcott Fair: All seems to be on track for this year’s Fair.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0718 – vouchers #103 – 109 = $1,772.37. Highway Abstract #H0718 – vouchers #110 – 113 = $34,524.27. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Supervisor Alan White presented the monthly finance report.
Clerk’s Report: Billy Haynes (dumpster fee) (May): $100.00, 1 Certified Transcript: $10.00, 1 Dog

License: $5.00. The Town collected and disbursed $115.00 for the month of June.Next Meeting: Regular Meeting Monday August 20, 2018, 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:33 pm by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Town Board Minutes June 18, 2018

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
June 18, 2018, 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. Current and previous Fleischmanns Fire Chief Bob Van Valkenburgh and Todd Wickham.

7:15 pm, Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the May 21, 2018 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 is ready to begin, starting Wednesday, June 20th. (B) As the Highway Department uses materials on scheduled road repair and maintenance, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton will work on replenishing the crusher run reserve stockpile, and also bring in a few loads of #3 stone and small fill to have on hand for emergencies. (C ) Thomas Hoyt is no longer the Deputy Superintendent of the Greene County Highway Department. He will now be setting up a Safety Office for Greene County to ensure that all who work in Greene County are in compliance with mandated safety requirements.

Halcott Fair: The Fair Committee met June 2nd. This year will be the 20th anniversary for the Fair which will be on July 21st, 12pm to 6pm.There will no longer be a table for Attic Treasures, instead individuals are encouraged to come and set up a table (free of charge) to sell their own attic treasures, hand made items, or other wares. All items must be removed from the premises by the end of Fair Day.

LFA Process: The Town Board is ready to proceed with the LFA process. Supervisor Alan White, Councilman Alan Reynolds and Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton will represent the Town.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0618 – vouchers 085 – 093 = $1,502.07. Highway Abstract #H0618 – vouchers 094 – 102 = $9,819.78. 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.

Clerk’s Report: 7 Certified Transcripts @ $10.00 each: $70.00, 1 Grange Rental (non local): $100.00, Building Permits (2), 1 @ $100.00, 1@ $400.00: $500.00, 1 C/O Search: $25.00, Copies: $1.00, Billy Haynes (April): $100.00, 8 Garbage Tickets @ $9.00 each: $72.00, 2 Dog License (1 neutered @ $5.00: 1 non neutered @ $10.00): $10.00. The Town collected and disbursed $883.00 for the month of May.

Other Business:(A) Fire Chief Bob Van Valkenburgh and Todd Whickham were present at the Board meeting to inform the Board of a new State Mandate for all Fire Districts, Fire Departments or Fire Companies with volunteer firefighters. As of January 1, 2019, each must show proof of insurance
for cancer coverage that meets the requirements of this Act or show satisfactory proof of the ability to pay such compensation to ensure adequate coverage for all eligible volunteers. To be eligible, certain criteria must be met: at least 5 years as an interior firefighter, passage of a physical upon entering service with no evidence of pre-existing condition covered by this act, and a diagnosis that conforms to the definitions set forth in the Act. It has been determined that 65% of interior firefighters get cancer through their gear due to airbourne carciogens. This insurance cost will need to be added into the new fire budget. The estimated cost of coverage would be $250.00 per man per year. (B) The Fire Department will bring the new pumper truck to the Halcott Fair for the public to see. (C ) The Board recognized all the years of service Todd Wickham put in as Fire Chief and thanked him for all of his hard work.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting July 16, 2018, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:56 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Town Board Minutes, May 21, 2018

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
May 21, 2018, 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: Chris Doyle. Lorraine Doyle.

7:15 pm, Meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the meeting: With the following spelling corrections: Amedore, John Farrell, transferred, and emergency planning. Motion to approve by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A)Highway Superintendent Bouton presented the 284 Agreement for 2018 to the Town Board. The Agreement calls for stone and oil on Elk Creek and the bottom of Johnson Hollow Rd., soft spot repair on DiNicola and Townsend Hollow Rd., and reconstruction work on Turkey Ridge Rd. and Mead Rd. The Highway Department is looking to start stone and oil work in June this year, working towards an early reimbursement. (B) Greene County will begin pothole repair on the County roads.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0518 – vouchers 071 – 075 = $1,978.59. Highway Abstract #H0518 – vouchers 076 – 084 = $5,139.67. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 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: Grange Rental: $50.00. The Town collected and disbursed $50.00 for the month of

April.

Other Business: (A)Subdivision Law: After reviewing the Subdivision Law revision process, and having met the terms set forth, Supervisor White asked for a motion to approve the revision to the Town of Halcott Subdivision Law. Motion to approve the revision to the Subdivision Law by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. (B) Supervisor White, Highway Superintendent Bouton and Councilman Alan Reynolds will next revisit Local Law 1-2014: A local law to set standards for the adoption of new roads in the Town of Halcott, to see if a revision is needed. (C) Fire Building: Supervisor White, and Councilmembers Yukari Day and Alan Reynolds met with Senator George Amedore to discuss the potential for a fire building in Halcott. Senator Amedore had favorable comments and suggestions about the project. The first step moving forward is for the Town to come up with a more accurate cost estimate. There is a special source of money available for this sort of project called SAM money: Senate Assistance to Municipalities. Councilman Reynolds spoke with Emergency Services Director John Farrell who has a grant writer who might know of funding the Town could apply for, and he also contacted Assemblyman Chris Tague who will look into the possibility of co-sponsoring the project with Senator Amedore. (D) The Town received a report from NY State Ag & Markets stating everything is satisfactory with our dog control process. (F) The Town Transfer Station is having trouble with recycle material in the dumpster. Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson will put up a “Garbage Only” sign and will keep the dumpster locked, opening it for supervised use.

Public Comment: Chris and Lorainne Doyle asked the Board how to start the process of removing and replacing their mobile home Supervisor White explained to the couple the best way to start the process would be by contacting our Code Enforcement Officer John Matheisen.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting June 18, 2018, 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:50 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.