Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
April 15, 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 Patricia Warfield, Web Master Greg Beechler, Town Assessor Mark Neves, Town Code Enforcement Officer John Mathiesen, Grange Steward Bob VanValkenburgh, DCSWCD Gale Neale, NYCDEP Phil Eskel, Miles & Macbroom Inc.: Mark Carabella, Miguel Castellanos, Ethan Ely.
Call to Order at 7:15 pm, with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of the minutes of the March 18, 2019 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanoff, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Local Flood Analysis Initial Meeting: The meeting began with a presentation about the LFA process and the intended outcomes. Following the presentaion, the Halcott Flood Advisory Committe members shared their thoughts and experiences with local flooding, emphasizing that all of Halcott’s emergency services are provided by other towns such as Fleischmanns and Margaretville, with Halcott being cut off from these towns when the Bush Kill is flooded in Fleischmanns. There is also concern with the poor condition of county owned bridges on Rt.1 and Rt.3, and should the bridge over West Settlement Creek coming into Halcott be damaged or washed out, access to the Town would be cut off. M.M.I. was informed that the Town has aquired a piece of property to create a satellite emergency facility in Halcott with personel to available to run such equipment, but are lacking the funds to move forward with the project at this time. Other problem areas were discussed as well, such as the Highway Garage property, Townsend Hollow Rd. and Elk Creek Rd. There was a discussion of how to move forward towards the first public meeting; addressing the issue that 75% of property homeowners in Halcott are 2nd homeowners, perhaps a Saturday public meeting would enable more of Halcott homeowners to attend. Other thoughts were to advertise the date in the Times of Halcott, an email blast, and a mailing to residents living in the project areas.
Annual Reports: Town Web Master Greg Beechler presented his annual report. The Town website is working perfectly, the Home Page receives the most hits with the Times of Halcott #2 and the Contact page #3. Greg would like to see how the website could move beyond being just a bulletin board.
Town Assessor Mark Neves presented his annual report. The assessment rate is still at 108%, and reassessment is not needed at this time as the market is stable.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) The Chevy broke down and has been in the shop with a fuel system problem. Russell has been using his personal vehicle. Supervisor White asked that the mileage be kept track of for reimbursement. (B) Highway Superintendent Bouton is working on the 284 Agreement for Halcott, Silas Lake and Turkey Ridge are both in line to have work done. A Peckham representative will be here tomorrow to work with Superintendent Bouton to assess the work to be done on the roads and come up with a cost for that work. Superintendent Bouton is trying to lock in a time schedule to begin road work as early as possible to ensure an early reimbursement from the State for the monies spent. (C ) CHIPS money will be less than last year as there is no Severe Weather money which was around $8,00.00 last year. Pave N.Y. money is still available. Superintendent Bouton will
confirm the total CHIPS money for use this year and report the figures to the Board at the May 20thmeeting.
Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0419 – vouchers 53 – 65 = $12,506.87. Highway Abstract #H0419 – vouchers 66 – 69 = $4,834.91. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report for February. Finance Chair Kasanof is diligently working on finalizing the numbers of the monies going into the Town reserve accounts.
Clerk’s Report: 2 Grange Rentals: 1 local @ $50.00, 1 non local @ $100.00 = $150.00, 2 C/O searches @ $25.00 each = $50.00, Billy Haynes (march/apr) $200.00, 3 Dog Licenses (spay/neuter) @ $5.00 each = $15.00. The Town collected and disbursed $415.00 for the month of March.
Next Meeting: Regular Meeting May 20, 2019, 7:15 pm.
Motion to Adjourn at 9:10 by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilman Alan Reynolds, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
