Town Board Minutes, 20 September 2021

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Regular Town Board Meeting Minutes Halcott Grange
September 20, 2021, 6:00 pm

Present: Town Supervisor Alan White, Council members Yukari Day, Alan Reynolds, Innes Kasanof, Judy DiBenedetto. Town Clerk Patricia Warfield. Absent: Highway Superintendent Russell Bouton Public: Patty Kelder, Harry Saslow.

Call to order at 6:00 pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Budget Discussion: Finance Chair Innes Kasanof presented the 2022 Tentative Budget to the Board for review. The total tax revenue to be raised by the Town would be $320,034.36 which would put the Town at a 1.9 % tax increase, allowing for an increase in insurance costs, billable hours from the Code Enforcement Officer and Town Lawyer and salaries. Town Supervisor: $3,695.00, Town Board member: $818.00, Town Clerk: $4,682.00, Highway Superintendent: $51,510.00.

Approval of the minutes of the August 16, 2021 meeting: Motion to approve by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Innes Kasanof, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.

Highway Superintendent’s Report: Councilman Alan Reynolds presented the Highway Superintendent’s report. (A) The highway department recently purchased a new pole saw with a slightly different design which is working well for them and is looking to purchase a chain saw as well. (B) Greene County Highway Superintendent Scott Templeton and Engineer Bill Stein were in Halcott looking at road conditions and may have found funding for the County Route 3 bridge project. (C) Tires are needed for the Oshkosh and after an extensive search due to a nationwide shortage, were located at a cost of $530.00 each. Motion to purchase new tires for the Oshkosh by Town Councilman Alan Reynolds, 2nd by Supervisor Alan White, Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto: aye, Councilwoman Yukari Day: aye, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye.

Voucher vote: General Abstract #G0921 – vouchers 123 – 133 = $13,780.90. Highway Abstract #H0921 – vouchers 134 – 144 = $43,053.45. 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. Clerk’s Report: C/O Search: 2 @ $25.00, Transfer Station: July $206.00, August: $308.00. The Town

collected and disbursed $564.00 for the month of August.

Other Business: (A) Billy Haynes removed the junk appliances which were illegally left at the town transfer station and the highway department cleaned up other junk which had accumulated as well. (B) Town Clerk Pattie Warfield will reach out to the Community Fund to work on a more fluid system for community use of tables and chairs and Grange rentals.

Public: (A) Town resident Harry Saslow spoke to the Board about concerns he had with an ongoing building project located next to his property on Turkey Ridge Rd. Supervisor Alan White was familiar with the project and had reached out to Town Code enforcement Officer John Mathesien to check on the status of the project. While the construction site may look like an eyesore to outsiders, all necessary

permits have been obtained and at this time the project is in compliance. (B) Patty Kelder spoke to the Board on a number of topics. Patty asked the Board to consider opting out of allowing marijuana dispensaries in the Town of Halcott. Patty also inquired about an odd looking speed limit sign on a town road and thought that perhaps it was not put up by the highway department. Each year flower boxes are filled and located under the town sign at the grange hall. Due to the cost of replacing these flowers each year, Patty asked if she could bring the geraniums into the Grange during the cold weather months which was fine with the Board.

Next Meeting: Public Hearing on the 2022 Preliminary Town Budget October 18, 2021, 6:00 pm. Regular Town Board Meeting to follow.

Motion to Adjourn at 7:24 pm by Councilwoman Judy DiBenedetto, 2nd by Councilwoman Yukari Day, Councilwoman Innes Kasanof: aye, Councilman Alan Reynolds: aye, Supervisor Alan White: aye.