Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
December 21, 2020 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, Deputy Bookkeeper Sheri Reynolds, Pine Hill Fire Chief Orville Smith. Public: Mountain Top Cares Coalition members Maret Panzenbeck, Jana Tyree, Scott Tyree, Warren Reynolds.
Call to Order at 7:17 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Pine Hill Fire Chief Orville Smith: Fire Chief Smith gave the Town Board an overview of the Pine Hill Fire Department. There are 17 current members, and there are 5 trucks in service, built in 2000 or newer with a spare truck which could be housed in Halcott when a structure to house it is built. The Pine Hill Fire Department has been receptive to the idea of providing fire protection coverage for the Town of Halcott and has been looking into any legal or logistical problems that could arise. There are Halcott residents who are already members of the Pine Hill Fire Department and hopefully additional residents would be willing to become volunteers as well. The Town could build the satellite fire structure through the Pine Hill Fire Department for a substantial savings to the Town.
Mountain Top Cares Coalition: Maret Panzenbevk came before the Board to answer questions and concerns about the installation of a Narcan box at the Halcott Grange Hall. The mission of the Mountain Top Coalition Cares is “To Serve People with Substance Abuse Disorders.” There will be no cost to the Town as costs are covered by N.Y. State and Greene County and no legal liability due to the N.Y. State Good Samaritan Law which covers those who give first aid to others in good faith. The box will be tended to by local volunteers and training will be made available as well. Motion to install a Narcan box at the Halcott Grange Hall by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Approval of the minutes of the November 15, 2020 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Highway Superintendent’s Report: (A) Clean up after the snow storm went well although it was difficult for the Highway Department workers to get in to the Town Garage area to get started. (B) The large amount of snow caused some road drainage problems on County Route 3 but the Highway Department was able to identify the cause and get the road cleaned up.
Voucher vote: (A) General Abstract #G1220 – vouchers #177-186, 201 = $2,436.54. Highway Abstract #H1220 – vouchers #187-200 = $6,082.88. Motion to pay bills by Councilwoman Yukari Day, 2nd by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Finance Chair Report: (A) Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the monthly finance report for November. (B) Deputy Bookkeeper Sheri Reynolds has been working closely with finance Chair Innes Kasanof in recent months. (C ) The Town has not yet received CHIPS reimbursement money, the state website posted monies would be disbursed by December 18th. An inquiry will be made to the State as to when the money can be expected.
Clerk’s Report: 8 Certified Transcripts @ 10.00 = $80.00, 3 Building Permits: 1 @ 275.00, 1 @ 380.00, 1 @ 200.00 = 855.00, 1 C/O Search: 25.00, 2 Demo Permits @ 25.00 = $50.00, Transfer Station/Garbage Money: 354.00, 1 Dog License (neutered): $5.00. The Town collected and disbursed $1,369.00 for the month of November.
Other Business: With the Town weighing fire protection options and actively looking to move forward with the building of a satellite building to house a fire truck in Halcott, Supervisor White asked the Board for a motion to create a reserve fund for fire protection. Motion to create a Fire Protection Reserve Fund by Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
Next Meeting: Organizational Meeting January 4, 2021, 6:00 pm. Regular Town Board Meeting: January 25, 2021, 6:00 pm.
Motion to Adjourn at 8:37 pm by Councilwoman Inness Kasanof, 2nd Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.
