Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes – Halcott Grange
December 16, 2024, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Samantha Bouton, Council Members Alan Reynolds, Eric Fronckowiak, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert. Public: Wayne Reynolds, Nancy Reynolds, Dan Siegel.

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

Approval of the minutes of the November 18, 2024 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto with the following correction: Garth Slocum is not the Town Assessor, for Prattsville. 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Bridge on County Route 1 is slated to be open in 2 weeks but will need to close again in warmer weather for final work to be done. (B) The Highway Department has had some vehicle problems, the Autocar has trouble with rear springs and the Chevy is experiencing problems with the plow. The vehicle will be taken to an Oneonta dealership as the Town has not been happy with the Romeo Ford Service Department. (C) The Highway Department was getting dangerously low on sand; Greene County was able to haul sand here themselves so, the Town is now well stocked. (D) Highway Superintendent Bouton informed the Board that there have been numerous cars parked on roads in Halcott which makes taking care of winter roads a problem.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1224 – vouchers -174 – 183 = $3,122.87. Highway Abstract #H1224 – vouchers 184 – 190 = $9,584.43. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Finance Chair Report: Supervisor Bouton presented the monthly finance report. Checks were sent out to all who receive their salary payment once a year. Motion to pay any additional bills that come inbefore the end of the year from known vendors with reasonable amounts before vouchering by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permits: 2 @ 100.00, 1 @ 50.00, 1 @ 200.00, 1 @ 60.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 1 @ 25.00, Garbage Money/October: 376.00. The Town collected and disbursed $911.00 for the month of November.

Highway Garage: The CWC approved the Town’s request for funding for the design cost of a new highway garage. The next steps are to find an architect to design the building and then have our lawyer put together a bid packet so the project can be put out for bids.

Board Appointments: (A) Motion to appoint Dan Siegel to the Zoning Board of Appeals by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye. Term expires 12/2029.

(B) Motion to reappoint Andrew Kelder to the Planning Board by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye. Term to expire 12/2029.

(C) Motion to reappoint Mark Kugler to the Board of Assessment Review by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye. Term to expire 9/2027.

Other Business: (A) Jeff Norwick needs to sign the contractfor the AARPA funded flagpole project, weather permitting, he is looking to install the flagpole this month. Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto will the name and address of those providing the bench so a check can be sent out. (B) There has been additional feedback from individuals about the LUC update. Additional discussions have been deemed necessary and hopefully another meeting with Nan Stolzenburg will bring more clarity to the document. (C) The company that provides water for the large dispenser at the Highway Department will be asked to provide water for the dispensers at the Grange as well.

Next Meeting: Organizational Meeting, Monday, January 6, 2024, 6:00 pm.
Regular Town Board Meeting, Monday January 27, 2024, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:00 p.m. by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Samantha Bouton: aye.