Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes September 21, 2020

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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.