Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
March 18, 2019, 7:15 pm
Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Town Council members Yukari Day, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto, Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton, Town Clerk Patricia Warfield, Town Justice Ken Williams. Absent: Town Councilman Alan Reynolds.
Call to order at 7:15 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Annual Reports: Town Justice Ken Williams presented his annual report for 2018. Judge Williams heard 6 cases for 2018, 2 are criminals cases which may go to a jury trial in 2019. As of now, there has never been a jury trial in Halcott.
Approval of the minutes of the February 25, 2019 Town Board Meeting: With the following correction: Only the well house roof will be replaced. Motion to approve the minutes as amended by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Mack truck is in need of new tires, the last time the rear tires were replaced was May 27, 2015. Supervisor Bouton received a quote of $3,235 to almost $5,500 for 8 tires. The Board gave approval to purchase new tires but asked Superintendent Bouton to consult with Deputy Highway Superintendent Alan Reynolds on the tire options before making a purchase. (B)Highway Superintendent Bouton tried to raise the weight limit on the Mack and submitted the necessary information, but there was a mix-up with the paperwork on the receiving end, and he was told the submission date was missed. Highway Superintendent Bouton is working on a resolution to this issue. He will consult with the Town of Middletown Highway Superintendent John Biruk to accurately determine the current weight limit for the Mack.
Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0319 – vouchers 42 – 47 = $1,630.14. Highway Abstract #H0319 – vouchers 48 – 52 = $5,750.69. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof did not present the finance report for February at this time due to the many bank transfers and resulting paperwork associated with the ongoing change over of accounts from Community Bank to the Bank of Greene County. Finance Chair Kasanof did report that interest paid to Halcott for the month of February by Community Bank was around $2.00, while the Town earned $200.00 in interest from the Bank of Greene Co. (B) The Town of Halcott AUD was submitted to the State on time.
Clerk’s Report: 1 Grange Rental @ $50.00, 1 Building Permit @ $75.00, 1 Certificate of Occupancy Search @ $25.00, Billy Haynes (Feb) $100.00, Garbage Tickets (28) $252.00. The Town collected and disbursed $502.00 for the month of February.
Other Business: (A) LFA Group discussion. Will be on April 15, 2019 at 7:15 p.m. with the Regular Town Board Meeting to follow. (B) The Town has the Highway Garage insured for $800,000.00 and the Grange insured for $584,000.00, with the contents at $62,000.00 and $63,000.00 respectively. Supervisor White discussed these numbers and the Town’s building needs with the insurance carrier,
and asked for a more realistic replacement cost for new buildings, which were figured to be $300,000.00 each. Supervisor White asked the Board to think about the validity of lowering the replacement value on each building and they could then revisit the issue at the next meeting. Town Councilwoman Innes Kasanof felt it would be a good idea to review the insurance needs of the Town.(C ) Highway Superintendent Bouton will contact DEC Natural Resource Supervisor Jeff Rider and ask him to start the process to secure the permits needed to begin work on the Turk Hollow culvert replacement when trout spawning season is over.
Next Meeting: Regular Meeting, Monday April 15, 2019, 7:15pm.
Motion to Adjourn at 7:54 p.m. by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
