Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
March 26, 2018, 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. Webmaster Greg Beechler.

Opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Webmaster Greg Beechler presented his annual report. (A)Greg spoke to the Board about making changes to the Town website, to make it simpler and easier for the public to use. (B) Greg explained to the Board a problem he ran into while out of the country during the snowstorm in March. Greg received an e-mail with emergency information but was unable to post it on the Town webpage. He would like to look into the possibility of setting up an emergency information webpage to show emergency posts. The Town official who would be receiving the emergency information could then post that information (and any updates received)by e-mail to a secret address and it would automatically be posted on the emergency website. The Board felt that it would be worthwhile to further pursue this idea. (C )Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto asked Greg if there was a way for the Animal Control Officer to post lost or found pets on the website, as there were a number of lost dogs last year who were returned to their owners because of social media or it was known who the owners were. Greg informed Councilwoman DiBenedetto that the Animal Control Officer could e-mail the lost or found pet information to Greg, and he would post the information on the website. (D)The Board felt that perhaps it could be made easier for the public to find pertinent contact information for Town Officials, and could be worked on when Greg started to rework the Town webpage. A suggestion was made to compile a list of Town Officials and their contact information to add as an insert to the next Times of Halcott, and Greg said he could include the list on the Town webpage as a printable PDF.

Approval of the minutes of the February 26, 2018 meeting: Motion to adopt minutes with the following corrections: The Town was able to add $10,230.00 to the General Reserve Fund, and add $20,498.00 to the Highway Reserve Fund. Motion to adopt the minutes as corrected by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBendetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Highway Department experienced a number of breakdowns during the recent snow storms. The sander broke, but was quickly repaired by Hammerhydrolics. Supervisor White asked Highway Superintendent Bouton to let them know the Board was pleased with their service. The Greene County truck had a transmission bearing go, and the County brought our Highway Department another truck to use. (B)Some back roads saw a little plow damage which Highway Superintendent Bouton said will be touched up with the grader when better weather arrives. (C ) Oshkosh repair: When the weather breaks, the Highway Department will look to remove the old body from the truck, have it replaced, and while the body is off, have the frame repaired.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0318 – vouchers 042 – 051 = $21,749.87. Highway Abstract #H0318 – vouchers 052 – 056 = $2956.25. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBendetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B) Finance Chair Kasanof asked Supervisor White if the Town had received the contract invoice from the Fire Department. Supervisor White had just received it, needed to have it notorized and then he would return it to the Fire Department. (C ) The year end process has been completed and the AUD has been accepted.

Clerk’s Report: Grange Rental: $50.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: $25.00, Subdivision: $50.00, Billy Haynes: $100.00, Garbage Tickets (8) @ $9.00 each: $72.00. The Town collected and disbursed $297.00 for the month of February.

Other Business: (A) Subdivision Law Update: The next step in the process to amend the Subdivision Law is for a public hearing to be held on the proposed updates. There will be a public hearing on the proposed updates to the Subdivision Law on April 23, 2018 at 7:15 pm. (1) Let the minutes reflect that a Resolution of the Town of Halcott Town Board: Intent to be Lead Agency and Identification as a Type 1 Action: Amend Subdivision Regulations for the Town of Halcott was adopted at the March 26, 2018 Regular Town Board Meeting. Motion to adopt by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. (2) Let the minutes reflect that a Resolution of the Town of Halcott Town Board: Negative Declaration-Type 1 Action: Adoption of Amended Subdivision Regulations for the Town of Halcott was adopted at the March 26, 2018 Regular Town Board Meeting. Motion to adopt by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: April 23, 2018, 7:15 pm: Public Hearing on the proposed Subdivision Updates, Regular Town Board Meeting to follow.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:08 pm by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBendetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
February 26, 2018, 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, Code Enforcement Officer John Matheisen, Town Assessor Mark Neves, Planning Board Secretary Nancy Reynolds.

7:15 pm, Opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Annual Reports: CEO John Matheisen presented his annual report. (A) For 2018 there were 14 Building Permits issued, 7 BP renewals, 1 Demo Permit, 12 Certificate of Occupancy Searches, 9 C/O’s issued, 9 Certificate of Compliance issued and 7 Violations issued. (B)Councilwoman Innes Kasanof asked CEO Matheisen if he could could briefly speak to the Board about an LFA, and what it means for local Towns. CEO Matheisen explained that a Local Flood Analysis (which is funded by the DEP) is performed for a Town by a hired consulant to evaluate and identify troubled areas and then make proactive recommendations for improvements. Once problem areas are identified, Halcott could then apply for any available funding for viable projects. Motion to begin the process to have a Local Flood Analysis performed in Halcott by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Town Assessor Mark Neves presented his report. Not much change in Halcott, no new houses built in 2017. The equalization rate is still 108%.

Planning Board Secretary Nancy Reynolds presented the Planning Board report. The Planning Board had 2 boundry line changes and 1 minor subdivision for 2017.

Approval of the minutes of the January 22, 2018 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton discussed having work done on the Oshkosh. He could like to purchase a dump body for the truck if a suitable one can be found, and while the truck is apart have the frame and air tanks worked on as they are quite rusted. The Board encouraged him to move forward and get prices for the work he wants done.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0218 – vouchers 022 –034 = $4,220.67. Highway Abstract #H0208 – vouchers 035 – 041= $2,794.77. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report. (B) The 2017 AUD is done and submitted. The Town was able to add $10,000.00 to the General Reseve Fund, and $20,000.00 to the Highway Reserve Fund. (C ) The Town has received its share of property tax dollars.

Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: $140.00, C/O Search (3) @ $25.00: $75.00, BP Renewal: $87.50, Subdivision: $50.00. The Town collected and disbursed $352.50 for the month of January.

Other Business: (A)Subdivision Law Review. Nancy Reynolds presented the following proposed amendments to the Subdivision Law for the Board to review. (1) Public Hearing Section: Include the wording: The applicant shall send notice of the Public Hearing to abutting property owners by certified mail, return receipt requested at least seven (7) days prior to the public hearing. The Planning Board shall also send notice of the Public Hearing to any adjacent municipality located within 500 feet of the proposed development. (2) The Planning Board is further authorized to require addition of any modification or plat note associated with approval of the subdivision on the plat. (3) The wording discussed in # 1, will be the same for minor and major subdivisions. (4) Roads shall be constructed according to “ Standards for the Adoption of New Roads in the Town of Halcott”as may exist. (5) No more than one (1) principal residential building may be placed on a lot. (as per the Town of Halcott Land Use Code). After discussing the proposed changes, Motion to accept the proposed changes and proceed with the process to update the Subdivision Law by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Next Meeting: Regular Meeting, March 26, 2018, 7:15pm.

Motion to Adjourn at 8:35 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.