Town Board Minutes, 21 February 2022

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
Halcott Grange
February 21, 2022, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council members Judy DiBenedetto, Alan Reynolds, Eric Fronckowiak, Samantha Bouton, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio, Town Justice Ken Williams, Town Tax Collector Robin White, ZBA Chair Karen Rauter. Public: Warren Reynolds, Scott Moroff, David Grossman.

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

Approval of the minutes of the January 17, 2022 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof : aye.

Annual Reports: (A) Town Justice Ken Williams presented his report. No cases for 2021.
(B) Town Clerk Patricia Warfield presented her report. The Town Clerk’s account collected and disbursed $12,835.00 for the year 2021. (C) Highway Superintendent Russel Bouton presented his report. The Highway Department will need to purchase a lawnmower for the upcoming mowing season and be prepared to purchase a new1-ton pickup truck in the next 2 years. (D) Supervisor Innes Kasanof presented the Code Enforcement Officer’s report. 23 building permits issued, 3 demo permits, 6 stop work orders/violations, 9 building permit renewals, 18 certificate of occupancy searches for lawyers/abstract companies, 8 certificates of occupancy issued, 1 temporary certificate of occupancy issued. (E) Tax Collector Robin White presented her report.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Oshkosh broke down, a motor mount broke causing the engine to move affecting the bell housing alignment. The Highway hopes to have the truck fixed ahead of the storm forecast for the end of the week.

The Filling of Committees: The Town has seats on the Finance and Personnel Committee, Town Board Building Committee, Town Board Highway Committee and the Shared Services Committee to fill, left vacant with the departure of previous Board members. Councilwoman Samantha Bouton will fill the vacant seat on the Finance and Personnel Committee, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto is on the Building Committee and can reach out to the Grange Steward Bob VanValkenburgh should the need arise. Councilman Eric Frockowiak will fill the vacant seat on both the Highway Committee and the Shared Services Committee.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0222 – vouchers 20 – 30 = $2,823.60. Highway Abstract #H0222 – vouchers 31 – 33, 35 – 43 = $8,103.45. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof and Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the monthly finance report. (B) The Coalition of Watershed Towns is asking the Town to pay its annual membership fee which is currently $750.00. Given that Halcott is an extremely small Town compared to others, the Town has in previous years sent in a lesser amount. The last payment made was $500.00 in January of 2020. The Board acknowledged the benefits of membership in Coalition of Watershed Towns and will send in the reduced membership fee.

Clerk’s Report: Transfer Station Nov/Dec: $330.00. The Town collected and disbursed $330.00 for the month of January.

Other Business: Resolution No.1-2022: The Town of Halcott Resolution in Support of the Land Acquisition Reduction Recommendations in the 2020 August National Academies (“NAS”) Export Panel Report. (A) In August of 2020, the National Academies Expert Panel published its report entitled, Review of the New York City Watershed Protection Program, which recommended that expenditures in the land acquisition program be reduced to fund other programs that will lead to more direct improvements to water quality. (B) On October 27, 2021, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution asking for a moratorium on new purchase contracts for fee title and DEP conservation easements, to be implemented in Delaware County pending a comprehensive review of the land acquisition program to identify the need for the continuation of land acquisition, the benefit of land acquisition, the impact of land acquisition on community sustainability and the other tools available to achieve MOA land acquisition objectives. The Town of Halcott joins the Delaware County Board of Supervisors petition to DEC, DOH and DEP requesting they develop a new Long Term Land Acquisition Plan, taking into consideration the findings of the National Academies Expert Panel Review. They also ask that the City and the DEP refrain from entering into new contracts to purchase fee title and/or conservation easements under the Land Acquisition Program in Halcott starting January 1, 2022, extending through the completion of the permitting process. (D) Motion to Adopt Resolution 1-2022 by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Eric Frockowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Land Use Code Update: The Town is getting closer to forming a committee to update the Town Land Use Code. The board feels that the committee should contain a member of the Zoning Board, a member of the Planning Board, a Town Board member and 2 or more volunteers. Code Enforcement Officer John Matheisen will act as an adviser, he will also discuss with the new committee the issues he has encountered with the current code. Nan Stolzenberg will once again participate in the Land Use Code update.

Next Meeting: Regular Board Meeting, March 21, 2022, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:23 pm by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, 2nd by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Town Board Meeting Minutes, January 17 2022 

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
January 17, 2022, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Council members Alan Reynolds, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Public: Sheri Reynolds, Warren Reynolds, Paul Tamaccio, Scott Moroff, Eric Fronckowiak, Samantha Bouton.

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

Correspondence received during the month: (A) The Greene County Planning Board is looking for a representative from Halcott to sit on the Greene County Planning Board. In the past it has been difficult to find someone interested in the position because the meetings are held in Catskill, but there are now zoom meetings perhaps making the position more attractive. (B) The Town was contacted by N.Y. Springwater. Trucks are having a difficult time finding them and they asked that signs be put up along Co. Hwy 3 to make it easier for drivers to locate their business. Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton had been contacted last summer by N.Y. Spring water and put a call in to Greene County but did not receive any indication from Greene County that signs would be put up, so he passed along the contact number to N.Y. Spring Water. (C) Supervisor Kasanof received an e-mail from Paul Margaritis with many different suggestions and asked that the Town Clerk put the suggestions in a file for the Land Use Code Committee when it is formed.

Approval of the minutes of the December 20, 2021 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Appointments: (A) Town Board members: Motion to appoint Eric Fronckowiak and Samantha Bouton to the Halcott Town Board by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye. (B) Budget Officer: Supervisor Innes Kasanof presented Paul Tamaccio to the Board as her choice for the new Budget Officer with a term of (1) year and a salary of $8,000.00 and asked Board members for their input. Councilman Alan Reynolds questioned the salary amount and Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto expressed her surprise when she saw the name Paul Tamaccio on the agenda for the meeting as she was not familiar with him and could not remember having discussed him as a budget officer candidate. Supervisor Kasanof explained that the Supervisor can be the Budget Officer or can hire someone to fill the position which was why there was no discussion about the filling of the position with Board Members. Motion to appoint Paul Tamaccio as Budget Officer for a (1) year term by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: opposed.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Snow removal for the current storm went well, a fuel pump went bad and was replaced. (B) The Highway Department has a new computer and an e-mail was created with the Town Web Master which is listed on the Town website.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0122 – vouchers 01 – 12 = $4,491.82. Highway Abstract #H0122 – vouchers 13 – 19 = $3,954.45.

Finance Chair Report: Budget Officer Paul Tamaccio presented the monthly finance report. Supervisor Kasanof explained how to read the information presented in the finance report to the new Board members.

Clerk’s Report: (A) BP Renewal: $137.00, C/O Search: $25.00, Billy Haynes: (Oct-Jan) $1,000.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,162.00 for the month of December. (B) The Town received notice from the Department of State that Local Law 2-2021 was filed on December 31, 2021.

Other Business: (A) The Board discussed the 2022 Fleischmanns Fire Protection Agreement. Motion to accept the 2022 Fire Protection Agreement by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilman Erick Fronckowiak: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye.

Alternates for the Planning Board, ZBA, and BAS: Last year a request was made that those Boards who have alternates be permitted to appoint their own alternates. The issue was not fully resolved then so Supervisor Kasanof recently checked with Greene County, and it is acceptable for the Boards to appoint their alternates. The Town Board is still responsible for appointing actual members to the various Boards. The Town must update the Organizational Meeting Procedure List. Motion to revise the Organizational Meeting Procedure List to allow the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals to appoint their own alternates by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Eric Fronckowiak, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Samantha Bouton: aye, Supervisor Innes Kasanof: aye.

Town Communication Methods: The Board once again discussed the need for a more inclusive way to share information with the community. The Town will continue to post notices in the Mountain Eagle but will also utilize the Margaretville Telephone Company website, the televised community calendar and overhaul the Town e-mail list as well.

Land Use Code Update: Supervisor Kasanof will reach out to ZBA member Karen Rauter to talk about the set up of a Land Use Code Committee. There is grant money available from the CWC to use to update the Land Use Code and the Town would again look to include Nan Stoltzenberg in the process.

Public Comment: Warren Reynolds asked the Board about the Town’s plans to contract with Pine Hill for fire protection. Councilman Alan Reynolds explained the need for the Town to build a satellite garage to house a fire truck in Halcott before it would be possible to contract with Pine Hill.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting February 21, 2022, 6:00 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:53 pm by Councilwoman Samantha Bouton, 2nd by Supervisor Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, councilman Eric Fronckowiak: aye.

Town Board Minutes, 20 December 2021

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes
December 20, 2021 Halcott Grange

Present: Deputy Town Supervisor Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield Public: Scott Moroff, Ida Piperisova, Paul Margaritis, Sybil Margaritis, Kimberly Segnini, Ron Segnini, William Capel, Warren Reynolds, Dave and Vicki Carpenter, John Dobsa, Patti George, Chris DiBenedetto, Aston Grocholl, Brian Grocholl, Nancy Reynolds, Paul Tomaccio, Andy Kelder, Patricia A. Kelder, Karl VonHassel, Bertha Von Hassel, Art McCrossen, Kathryn McCrossen, Sheri Reynolds, Samantha Bouton, Cindy Bouton, Jennifer Bouton, Jamie Vogler, Landon Vogler, Marshall J. Bouton, Lucas Bouton, Mark Vogler, David Grossman, Robert Warfield.

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

Opened at 6:01 pm: Public Hearing Concerning Local Marijuana Regulations for the Town of Halcott: The following individuals spoke at the public hearing. Nancy Reynolds supported opting out, thanked all for their support. Paul Margaritis supported opting out as he felt the current Land Use Code was not an adequate defense should it be challenged. Warren Reynolds supported opting out stating that nothing voted on tonight affects the growing of marijuana, just the sale of. Scott Moroff supported opting, feeling that the state did not have the Town’s best interest at heart, and waiting to better interpret state rules was in order. John Dobsa supported opting out. Bertha Von Hassel questioned the legality of the public hearing due to the time span of the posting of the hearing and when the hearing was held. Sheri Reynolds supported opting out as she felt the current Halcott Land Use Code would not be sufficient to protect the Town and that Halcott could not opt out at a later date. Cindy Bouton was against opting out and felt the law was not legal due to the way the public hearing was posted. David Grossman supported opting out, he felt by doing so, it would give the Town additional time to make an informed decision. Paul Tamaccio supported opting out noting that Halcott has only one (1) building zone and would like to see a committee formed to research options for the Town. Public Hearing closed at 6:31 pm.

Motion to adopt Local Law 2-2021: A Law to Opt-Out of Allowing Cannabis Retail Dispensaries and On-Site Consumption Sites as Authorized Under Cannabis Law Article 4, Local Law of the Town of Halcott by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Approval of the Minutes of the November 15, 2021 Meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: The bucket on the front-end loader has recently been rebuilt and with the rest of the equipment in good shape, Highway Superintendent Bouton feels the Highway Department is ready for the upcoming winter months.

Voucher Vote: General Abstract #G1221 – vouchers 179-184, 193 = $2,066.28. Highway Abstract #H1221 – vouchers 185-192 = $4,894.67. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye.

Finance Chair Report: Town finances are on track and although the Town has still not received CHIPS reimbursement from the State the Town will be able to pay December bills.

Clerk’s Report: Billy Haynes (Sept): 250.00, Demo Permit: 25.00, Building permit: 100.00, C/O Search (3): 75.00, Transfer Station: 246.00. The Town collected and dispersed 696.00 for the month of November.

Other Business: (A) Resolution 1-2021: Resolution Authorizing the Chief Executive Officer to Sign a Contract for Shared Highway Services on Behalf of the Town of Halcott: Motion to adopt Resolution 1-2021 by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye. (B) Motion to appoint Mark Kugler to the Board of Assessment Review by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds: aye. (C) Motion to appoint Innes Kasanof an interim Town Supervisor by Deputy Supervisor Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto. (D) The Board has received a list of individuals willing to step up and fill the interim Town Board seat and will address choosing someone at the Organizational Meeting in January.

Public Comment: (A) Town Clerk Patricia Warfield expressed her disappointment to those present at the way some had chosen to handle the opt-out controversy by making it a personal attack on members of the Board which then resulted in the resignation of two individuals. (B) Warren Reynolds thanked the remaining Board members for their work. (C) Sheri Reynolds asked why this topic was not discussed back in September when brought to the Board’s attention. (D) Given the displeasure by some of the public at the way the public hearing was advertised, Samantha Bouton offered to post town notices on Margaretville Telephone Company’s channel 10: Community Postings/Current Events to reach a larger audience.

Next meeting: Organizational Meeting, January 3, 2022, 6 pm. Regular Town Board Meeting, January 17, 2022, 6pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 6:57 pm.