A Fair bit of history…

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That hot, sticky feeling enveloping you is Summer saying “Hello” and that means the Halcott Fair is just down the road. Years ago, before the Halcott Fair there was the Halcott United Methodist Church picnic (at least one!) as recalled below in Volume 87 of The Times of Halcott by some of our neighbors. Take the opportunity on Saturday, July 20 to relax at the Grange with your friends and neighbors and create memories for your family.

Memories of a Halcott UMC Picnic from Jamie Bouton & Sybil Margaritis 

Jamie: One of my most favorite memories of the Halcott church, happened to be captured on an old home movie. Every so often, I dust off the cover and slip the old VHS into the machine and delight that I have such a treasure.

Ralph Merante was pastor of the church at the time and there was a gathering held on the adjoining back lawns of the church and my grandparents, Donald and Shirley Bouton. I’m not sure of the year, 1992? I do know there were short-shorts, tube socks and a lot of funky hair. I was the proud owner of a shoulder length mullet, yikes! There was a pie-eating contest, tug-of-war, badminton games, potato sack and three legged races for both kids and the adults. Mike and Peg DiBenedetto left their competition in the dust! There was a square dance called by dear Hilton and Stella Kelly.

The video shows my uncle, Tom Roberts and my beloved father, Dennis – both of whom, left us too soon – trying to keep up with food demands on an assortment of charcoal grills, but smiling the whole time. Picnic tables and folding chairs full of friends and neighbors eagerly sharing stories and the laughter could be heard throughout.

The afternoon concluded with an announcement of more singing and fellowship to take place inside the church. It was fun day!

Sybil remembers the day as well and adds: Claretta and I were in charge of helium balloons. I was dressed up as a clown, red nose and all. Shirley Bouton sat at a sign-in desk welcoming all and asking them to sign a guest book. Johnny Steinfeld, son of Lillian and Paul and a professional magician entertained the crowd with his magic. And there was no RAIN!

Susan Benedetto’s daughters Emily and Katie were young participants in the fun and games and provided a few photos from the memorable event.

 

Town Board Meeting: Monday, June 17, 2019 7:15pm

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TOWN OF HALCOTT
AGENDA 
7:15 PM, Monday, June 17, 2019
Town GRANGE, all are welcome

Pledge of Allegiance
Regular meeting 

CALL TO ORDER

0. John Farrel
1. Approval of minutes Monday, May 20, 2019
2. Highway Superintendent’s Report

    1. Any vehicle updates
    2. CHIPS Progress

3.Halcott Fair
4.Voucher vote.
5.Finance chair report 

    1. Monthly report

6. Clerk’s Report.
7. Other business: 
8. Public comment.

 Next meeting:  Regular meeting Monday July 15, 2019

Town Board Meeting Minutes, May 20, 2019, 7:15 pm

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
May 20, 2019, 7:15 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Pattie Warfield, Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson.

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

Annual Report: Kip Johnson presented his annual report. (1) Solid Waste Coordinator Kip Johnson informed the Board that there is a need for greater public education in regards to recycling, such as the need to wash all recycled items before drop off, labels off or on, and additionally what items actually are recyclable material. The Board suggested an article for the Town website as well as The Times of Halcott newsletter, and an e-mail blast as ways to spread the information, with copies of this information made available at the Halcott Fair. (2) He also feels that it is important for him to have the ability to lock and unlock the dumpster, but as of now he has no key to the current lock and due to the kind of lock it is, no copy of the key can be made. The Board asked Highway Superintendent Boston to purchase additional chains and a new lock with multiple keys to alleviate this problem. (3) There has been interest from residents to have the ability to get rid of different types of metal, including appliances (which would need to comply with recycle rules), with an offer from an individual to transport said items when a load is amassed, if the Town should choose to offer this service. (4) The Board expressed their appreciation to Kip for the quality job is is doing at the transfer station.

Approval of the minutes of the April 15, 2019 meeting: With the following correction: Severe weather money was $8,000.00 last year. 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) The 284 Agreement is now complete, with work to be done on Silas Lake Rd., Turkey Ridge Rd., Townsend Hollow Rd., Landa Rd. and Denicola Rd.(B) Emergency Services Director John Farrell will try to make the June 17, 2019 Regular Town Board Meeting. (C ) Installation of the culvert on Turk Hollow Rd. for lean-to access has not begun, the DEC has not yet acquired the necessary permits, asking that Halcott apply for them. In addition it appears the DEC now feels a 42 inch squash pipe will not be of adequate size for the project. (D) The Greene County Highway Department worked in town removing dead trees along the County roads.

Voucher Vote: General Abstract G0519 – vouchers 70 – 74 = $995.07. Highway Abstract H0519 – vouchers 75 – 83 = $2,812.70. 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 her monthly report. (B) The Town was able to add $16,565.00 to the General Reserve fund, and $12,380.00 to the Highway Reserve Fund.

Town Clerk’s Report: Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, 2 Building Permits, 1 @ $250, 1@ $350.00, 1 BP Renewal: $250.00, 1 Dog License (unneutered): $10.00, Billy Haynes: $200.00, Garbage Tickets: $135.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,220.00 for the month of April.

Other Business: The Board had a discussion about the logistics of garbage disposal in the Town and what should be done going forward. The Town; as things now stand, takes in less money than the actual cost of the dumping fees charged by Greene County, and because of this all residents cover a portion of that deficit in their taxes. The Town has been selling garbage tickets that allow residents to dispose of garbage for $3.00 per bag. The Board feels a more equitable solution should be looked at such as raising the usage fee for private haulers who now use the dumpster for a nominal fee, and perhaps adding more of the cost into the Town Budget each year, eliminating the need for the purchase of garbage tickets by residents. The Board will continue to explore options for the Town.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting June 17, 2019, 7:15 pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:49 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.