Dear Friends: Ruth Kelder passed away on Friday. Ruth led the Halcott United Methodist Church for many years and is known for her great bake sales which she and her daughter Pattie held at every election and Halcott Fair until earlier this year when public gatherings were discouraged. There will be a viewing at Gormley’s Funeral Home in Phoenicia on Friday October 23 from 7 to 9PM and on Saturday, October 24 between 11 and 1. The funeral home practices social distancing; the number of visitors will be limited to 50% of their capacity at a time. Because of the danger of large gatherings, there will be only a small private funeral for Ruth on Saturday.
Planning Board minutes, Sept 2, 2020
TOWN OF HALCOTT PLANNING BOARD
Meeting of September 2, 2020
Present: Adina Johnson, Andrew Kelder, Mark Vogler, Nancy Reynolds
Absent: Ted Johnson
Public: Frank Lombardi, Catalina Lombardi, James Zampino, A. Dunn,
Peter & Demetra Platis, Harry Johnston
Chairman Johnson was unable to attend the meeting; co-chair Adina Johnson opened the meeting with the pledge to the flag at 6:05PM.
Public hearing for a new garage proposed by F. Lombardi was opened at 6:07PM. There were no public comments or concerns. The hearing was closed at 6:15 PM. Motion to approve the application was made by A. Johnson, seconded by N. Reynolds, unanimously approved. Sketches were signed and dated and part 2 of the EAF from was completed and signed. Site visit had been done on August 16, 2020, by A. Johnson, A. Kelder and N. Reynolds.
P. Platis, whose application to replace an existing structure with a larger new home had been denied due to setback issues on August 5, 2020, proposed replacing the old structure with one in the same footprint. After review and consideration of Land Use Code Sections #6.1.2b and #9.5.8 the Board determined that the proposed replacement is exempt from site plan approval. Motion to exempt was made by A. Kelder, seconded by A. Johnson, unanimously approved. The Board referred the matter back to the Code Enforcement Officer and the ZBA.
Application and sketches were presented by J. Zampino for a new garage on his property at
245 Turkey Ridge Road. Site visit was scheduled for September 6, 2020; public hearing was scheduled for October 7, 2020, at 6PM.
Application and sketches were presented by H. Johnston for a mobile home on Turkey Ridge Road. The 911 number had not been established at that time. Site visit was scheduled for September 6, 2020; public hearing was scheduled for October 7, 2020, directly following the Zampino public hearing.
Motion to accept the minutes of the 8/5/2020 meeting was made by A. Johnson, seconded by
M. Vogler, unanimously approved.
Correspondence: None
New Business: Updating the 4 hour course requirement was discussed. A. Johnson will look into possibilities for internet courses.
Old Business: The list of possible planning board alternates was tabled for this month; we will discuss the issue at the October meeting.
Motion to adjourn was made at 7:13 PM by A. Johnson, seconded by M. Vogler, unanimously approved.
Submitted: N. Reynolds, Sec.
9/10/2020
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes September 21, 2020
Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
September 21, 2020, 7:15 pm
Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council Members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Absent: Town Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton.
Call to order at 7:15 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Budget Discussion: Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the Tentative 2021 budget to the Board for review. The total tax revenue to be raised by the Town would be $313,869.00, the same as 2020, which means no Town tax increase for 2021. Included in the budget are the following salaries: Town Supervisor: $3,695.00, Town Council members: $1,848.00, Town Clerk: $4,635.00, Highway Superintendent: $49,670.00. Motion to approve the Tentative 2021 Budget by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Approval of the minutes of the August 17, 2020 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye. Abstain: Councilman Alan Reynolds.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Deputy Superintendent of Highways Alan Reynolds brought to the attention of the Board how much money the Town has been saving on equipment maintenance and repair costs due to the versatility of the new Town Highway Department employee, who not only operates the trucks and equipment but has abilities as a mechanic as well. While the new employee will qualify for a nominal raise on the 6 month hire anniversary, Deputy Highway Superintendent Reynolds felt a larger raise was deserved. Additionally it was asked if policy could be changed in regards to no carry over of vacation days from one calendar year to the next. Due to the unpredictable nature of winter plowing, there is a fear that if a snow season ran into late spring and an early winter snow season started, and with road maintenance and repairs on a firm spring/summer schedule, there might not be enough time to use all vacation days annually. Supervisor White informed Deputy Superintendent Reynolds that he would present these issues to the Board for discussion and a vote at the Organizational Meeting in January. (B) The Highway Department will look to purchase a wood chipper in 2021 to facilitate getting rid of all the dead and dying ash trees. (C) Supervisor White recommended to the Board that an official letter of appreciation should be sent by the Town, thanking Greene County for the substantial amount of road repair work that was done in Halcott this year. A major part of the Greene County Highway budget was spent on the county roads here in town. Including an article about the road improvements in the next issue of the Times of Halcott was discussed as well.
Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0920 – vouchers 130 – 139 = $2,276.53. Highway Abstract #H0920 – vouchers 140 – 149 = $18,368.09. Motion to pay bills by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report.
Clerk’s Report: Building Permit: 1 @ $60.00, 2 @ $100.00, Certificate of Occupancy Search: 2 @ $25.00, Transfer Station Money: $370.00. The Town collected and disbursed $680.00 for the month of August.
Other Business: (A) 8:09 pm: Motion to enter into Executive Session by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White. (B) 8:48 pm: Motion to leave Executive Session by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Next Meeting: Public Hearing on the Proposed 2021 Town Budget October 19, 2020, 7:15pm. Regular Town Board Meeting to follow.
Motion to Adjourn at 8:50 pm by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Town Board Agenda, Monday October 19, 2020
Town of Halcott
Agenda
7:15 Monday,
October 19, 2020
Town Grange, all are welcome
Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance
Public hearing on 2021 Budget
Regular Meeting
Approval of minutes: September 21, 2020
Highway Superintendent Report
Voucher Vote
Finance Report:
Clerk’s Report
Public Comment
Other Business:
Next Meeting: November 16, regular meeting
Adjourn
Planning Board meeting, 7 October, 2020 6:00pm
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
The Town of Halcott Planning Board will conduct 2 public hearings on Wednesday October 7, 2020 beginning at 6:00PM at the Town Grange, 264 Route 3, Halcott Center, NY. The purpose of the first hearing is for the Site Plan Review application of James Zampino, 245 Turkey Ridge Road, Halcott Center, NY, for the construction of a garage. Tax Map ID #158-4-34. All persons wishing to speak upon this matter shall be heard at this time. Immediately following, there will be a public hearing for the Site Plan Review application of Harry Johnston, 460 Turkey Ridge Road, Halcott Center, NY, for a mobile home. Tax ID #158-5-23. All persons wishing to speak upon this matter shall be heard at this time. A regular Planning Board meeting will follow the public hearings.
Ted Johnson, Chairman
