Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
October 16, 2023, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council Member Alan Reynolds, Samantha Bouton, Eric Fronckowiak, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk, Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert, Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio. Public: Dave & Vicki Carpenter.

Call to Order at 6:00 p.m.

Approval of the minutes of the September 18, 2023, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Budget Discussion: The State has an auto form equation for Towns to use as a way to figure out where they are with their proposed tax increases and where they stand on meeting tax cap recommendations. Supervisor Kasanof filled in the tentative budget numbers and discovered the Town could spend an additional $5,00.00 and still stay under the tax cap. Supervisor Kasanof spoke to board members about perhaps further increasing some salaries to better serve individuals in those positions. Board members decided to leave all salaries as previously discussed.

Public Hearing on the 2024 Town Budget opened at 6:05 pm: Supervisor Innes Kasanof asked for public comment following the budget discussion, and with no comments or input from the public, closed the public hearing on the 2024 budget at 6:06 pm. Motion to adopt the 2024 budget by Councilman Alan Reynolds, second by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department traded in the summer tires on the Ford truck for a credit of 100.00 each towards winter tires and a spare tire for the truck is needed as well. The Highway Department is readying the trucks for winter (B) Paperwork has been submitted for a second CHIPS reimbursement. (C) Mechanic was here working on the mower tractor, and it is now fixed. (D) There are approximately 2 loads of crusher run stockpiled, but more is needed to ensure being able to sustain road repairs should the need arise.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1023 – vouchers 143 – 151 = $3,167.67. Highway Abstract #H1023 – vouchers 154 – 157 = $5,471.19. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye. Supervisor Kasanof: aye.

Finance Chair Report (A) Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the finance report for the month of September. Town finances are on track as the year progresses. (B) In November of 2022, the Town received a 100,000.00 grant to be used for the purchase of a new truck. The Town needs to submit a resolution to Greene County stating we have spent the grant money on the purchase of a new truck. Resolution 2-2023: A Resolution to Greene County on how the Town spent the grant money made available to them for the purchase of a new truck. Motion to adopt by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DeBenedetto, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Clerk’s Report: C/O Search: (1) @ 25.00, Demo Permit: (1) @ 100.00, Transfer Station: (August) 578.00. The Town collected and disbursed for the month of September.

Other Business: (A) Clerk Pattie Warfield asked about the possibility of an article in the Times of Halcott to alert residents of the need to license their dogs. Supervisor Kasanof suggested Clerk Warfield put together a letter to send out in an e-mail blast. (B) LUC Chairwoman Karen Rauter reported to Supervisor Kasanof that based on the last LUC committee meeting they were ready to finalize changes, incorporate Short Term Rental wording and have a document to hopefully present to the board at the November meeting. They will additionally outline steps to be taken for adoption of the updated Land Use Code.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting, November 20, 2023, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:24 p.m. by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Draft Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
September 18, 2023 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council members Alan Reynolds, Judy DiBenedetto, Eric Fronckowiak, Samantha Bouton, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Deputy Clerk Ariel Bogert. Public: Sean Penchoff, Andrew Camarata, David Buchakian, Pattie Kelder, Vicki and Dave Carpenter, Fred and Susan Herzog, Cindy Bouton.

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

Approval of the minutes of the August 21, 2023, meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Town has received the entire CHIPS reimbursement due for the first stage of road repair and maintenance work done on Town roads. (B) Town Attorney Tal Rappleyea has advised the Town that unfortunately, it is not an option for the Town to protect or maintain the abandoned section of road which goes beyond what is maintained on Bouton Rd. and then up the mountain and over to the Lexington Town line. (C) It was necessary to have the mechanic back to Halcott to work on the mower tractor, which is having electrical issues. (D) The Highway Department has been able to get most of the ditching done along the roads (E) Superintendent Bouton asked if a letter could be drafted to send out to property owners as one was in previous years regarding snow removal and mailboxes.

Voucher vote: General Abhas been abstract #G0923 – vouchers 131– 139 = $1,746.79. Highway Abstract #H0923 – vouchers 140 – 142 = $3,310.67. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B) Supervisor Kasanof presented to the Board the Tentative Budget for 2024. The board discussed the need to raise the pay rate for the highway employee to 25.00 per hour to be more in line with what is currently being offered elsewhere and would like to raise the salary of the Highway Superintendent the same percentage (20%) to make things equitable. Also discussed were increased costs of utilities, fuel, and insurances and small salary increases for all town positions including the following proposed salaries: Town Board members: 900.00, Town Supervisor: 4,000.00, Town Clerk: 5,200.00, Highway Superintendent: 63,000. Supervisor Kasanof was not sure if these proposed changes would raise the budget over the 2% tax cap, if so, a local law would need to be passed to override the tax cap. Supervisor Kasanof will continue to work on the budget and a public hearing will be scheduled for 6:00pm on October 16, 2023, to present the proposed 2024 budget.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: (1) @ 500.00, Subdivision: (1) @ 100.00, Transfer Station: (August) 622.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,222.00 for the month of August.

Other Business: (A) The LUC committee is still working on updates with nothing new to report currently.
(B) Pattie Kelder shared with the Board an article containing information on a bill pending in Albany related to a potential short term rental law.

Next Meeting: Public Hearing Regular Meeting October 16, 2023, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:37 pm by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.