Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
November 16, 2020 7:15 pm

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

Call to Order at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2020 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: (A) The Oshkosh needed to have the radiator repaired. The work was completed, the plow is back on, and the truck is ready for winter weather. (B) The Highway Department will begin work to create an alternative turn around spot on Hubbard Road before snow removal begins to make it easier for the plow truck to back up and get turned around when plowing. A small culvert will be installed to help facilitate the plans. (C) The roller has been looked over and all in all, seems fine. It was decided when spring comes, the rear tires will be filled with calcium for added weight to make the machine more balanced for better performance. (D) Due to illegal dumping that has occurred at the Town Transfer Station, the Highway Department will reposition security cameras for better coverage of the area and to ensure the recording of vehicle license plates. (E) Giving consideration to the Board discussion at the September Town Board meeting in regards to the use of vacation days, Supervisor White suggested the Organization Document be changed at the Organizational Meeting in January to include the ability to carry over 5 vacation days into the following calendar year, and to add an additional 1⁄4 day of vacation per month as well. Motion to accept the proposed changes to the Town of Halcott Organization Document by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Voucher vote: (A) General Abstract #G1120 – vouchers #160 – 169 = $2,567.33. Highway Abstract #H1120 – vouchers #170 – 174, 176 = $3,205.89. 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. (B)The paperwork for final CHIPS reimbursement has been submitted.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: 1 @ $200.00, BP Renewal: 1 @ $100.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, Billy Haynes Nov-Jan: $600.00, Transfer Station/bagged garbage: $410.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,335.00 for the month of October.

Other Business: (A) Councilwoman Innes Kasanof presented the Board with a request from Mountain Top Cares Coalition to install a Narcan Box in Halcott at the Grange. Narcan/Naloxone can quickly restore normal respiration to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped due to an opioid overdose. A local volunteer would be provided to install and then maintain the box as needed. The Board had a number of questions in regards to how something like this would work in a town like Halcott, and what would be the Towns liability, if any? Councilwoman Kasanof will gather additional information to present to Board members in response to their questions. (B) Motion to enter intoexecutive session at 7:40 pm by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. (C) Motion to exit executive session at 8:50 pm by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting: December 21, 2020, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:55 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
October 19, 2020, 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.

Call to order at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Opened Public Hearing for the 2021 Budget at 7:16 pm: Finance Chair Innes Kasanof took into consideration items discussed at the September Board meeting and was able to accommodate a raise for the Highway Department employee, a salary increase for the Deputy Bookkeeper from $1,000.00 to $1,650.00 per year and a salary of $51,000.00 for the Highway Superintendent with no tax increase, in part due to money saved on equipment repairs and the fire contract costing the Town less than originally thought.. With no public to hear from, motion to approve the Town of Halcott 2021 Budget by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. Motion to close the Public Hearing at 7:25 pm by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Approval of the minutes of the September 21, 2020 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department is getting trucks and sanders ready for winter weather. (B) The Highway Department has been having mechanical problems with the Chevy, it could be sediment in the gas tank causing the problem and the tank may need to be replaced.(C) The Highway Department was able to complete additional tree work and the truck turn- around on Townsend Hollow Rd. before the winter weather arrived.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G1020 – vouchers 150 – 153, 158 = $877.49. Highway Abstract #H1020 – vouchers 154 – 157, 159 = $3,099.74. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B)With all invoices in, paperwork can be finished and turned in for the last of the CHIPS reimbursement.(C) With the increased use of the transfer station, the Town may need to raise the per bag fee for garbage in order to help close the gap between the actual cost to the Town to run the transfer station and the money brought in.

Clerk’s Report: C/O Search: $25.00, Transfer Station/bagged garbage: $517.00. The Town collected and disbursed $542.00 for the month of September.

Next Meeting: Regular Town Board Meeting November 16, 2020, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:41 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.